Hundreds of people, mostly students, have been detained across France following nationwide protests and school blockades over worsening conditions in the education sector.
France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 440 people were detained during Tuesday’s demonstrations, with about two thirds placed in police custody. The protests affected about 400 schools across the country, according to the Education Ministry.
The demonstrations began around Paris last week before spreading to several cities. Students have protested against overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, demanding timetables and inadequate school facilities.
The protests became violent in some locations, with students reportedly setting fire to rubbish bins and throwing bottles, stones and other objects at police. Officers responded with tear gas and other crowd control measures.
Authorities also reported seven incidents involving hydrochloric acid being thrown at police officers. Forty eight police personnel were injured during the clashes.
In Lille, protesters blocked access to a high school and damaged nearby bus shelters and advertising boards. Similar confrontations were reported in Bordeaux, Rennes, Nantes, Marseille and areas around Lyon.
The student demonstrations coincided with a wider nationwide strike by public sector workers, including teachers, firefighters and healthcare workers. Workers are protesting proposed government budget measures, including plans to freeze public sector salaries in 2027.
The French government is expected to present its 2027 budget shortly, with proposed savings of about 54 billion euros.
Officials have condemned the violence while acknowledging concerns about conditions in schools.
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