Édouard Geffray announces 400-500 schools closed in France

Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced Sunday that between 400 and 500 high schools will be completely or partially closed on Monday. The closures occur because security conditions are not met following recent clashes between police and students.

The protests began last week and spread to cities including Montpellier, Nantes, and Marseille. Students are demonstrating against overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, and poor building conditions. Geffray noted that 24 schools have been vandalized or burned since the protests began.

Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin stated Friday that 735 of the 3,700 schools were affected in some way by violent protests.