France Shuts 400 High Schools as Student Protests Escalate

Nearly 400 high schools across France were closed on Friday as a week-long student protest movement intensified. Pupils are demonstrating against inadequate school conditions, including overheated classrooms and a shortage of teachers. The protests have turned confrontational, with students clashing with police and some 2,000 arrests reported. Many schools have also been blockaded by protesters. The unrest reflects deep-seated frustrations with the French education system, which many argue is underfunded and ill-equipped to meet students' needs. The government's response has been criticized as heavy-handed, with protesters decrying what they describe as police violence. The closures have disrupted education for thousands of students and raised questions about the government's ability to address the crisis. France 24's Olivia Bizot reports from outside a high school near Paris, where she speaks with protesters about their demands and the escalating tension. As the movement shows no signs of abating, the government faces mounting pressure to find a resolution.