Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
France shuts hundreds of schools as student unrest escalates
French authorities have announced the closure of between 400 and 500 schools on Monday following days of violent clashes between riot police and student protesters. The Education Ministry cited unmet security conditions as the reason for the widespread disruptions.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
France's Education Minister Édouard Geffray confirmed Sunday that lessons would be "totally or partly suspended" across hundreds of secondary schools due to deteriorating security situations in affected areas. The closures represent a significant disruption to the education system as authorities grapple with escalating student unrest that has led to confrontations with police forces in recent days.
The decision to close between 400 and 500 institutions reflects growing concern among officials about the safety of students, staff, and facilities amid the protests. Geffray emphasized that schools would remain shuttered until authorities determined that basic security requirements had been adequately met.
The closures mark an intensification of disruptions related to the student movement, which has gained momentum over the weekend. The scale of the school shutdowns underscores the serious nature of the confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement across multiple regions.
French education authorities indicated that the situation would be reassessed as conditions develop, with decisions made on whether schools could resume normal operations following Monday's suspension period.