France school protests turn violent with more than 160 schools shut

High-school protests across France have escalated into what government officials described as “urban violence”, prompting Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to call a crisis cabinet meeting.

The demonstrations began around Paris last week over teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, long hours and deteriorating school facilities before spreading nationwide.

About 900 protests, blockades and other incidents were reported outside schools, according to police.

More than 160 high schools have closed, while access to around 30 university campuses has also been blocked.

Nearly 3,000 students have been detained since the unrest began, including 1,949 on Thursday,The Guardian reported.

More than 300 police officers and dozens of firefighters, teachers and students have been injured.

“This upsurge in violence makes it virtually impossible to maintain the continuity of public education and is exposing staff and students to danger,” Lecornu’s office said, according to the Guardian.

The government has accused the left-wing La France Insoumise party of encouraging the unrest, which the party disputes.