France will partially or fully close up to 500 high schools on Monday as authorities struggle to contain a wave of student protests that has spread across the country.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray said between 400 and 500 schools could suspend lessons because security conditions had not been met. He said 24 schools had been burned or vandalised since the protests began last week.
Thousands of students have taken to the streets in Paris and other cities including Montpellier, Nantes and Marseille, protesting overcrowded classrooms, shortages of teachers and deteriorating school facilities.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said 735 schools had been affected by violent protests by Friday, while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported 1,747 arrests on Friday alone.
More than 5,000 people have been arrested since the protests began, according to AFP, with about 85% of those arrested being minors.
Geffray blamed what he described as far-left activists for infiltrating the student movement and fuelling violence. He said 78 education workers had been injured.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the government was taking steps to improve school facilities, reorganise school days and make university admissions more transparent.
Protest organisers have called for demonstrations to continue on Tuesday, saying the government has yet to take concrete measures to address students' concerns.
