France School Protests Escalate: Over 1,200 Schools Shut, 5,000 Arrested

The high school protest movement that's erupted over the past week here in France is showing no signs of slowing down. Demonstrations have raged at more than 1,200 high schools, and more than 5,000 people – most of them minors – have been arrested. Students are furious at what they say is a chronic lack of funding for state schools, with that anger exacerbated by accusations that state resources are unfairly distributed, with richer and whiter postcodes historically receiving the lion's share. The protests have led to school closures across the country, disrupting education for thousands of students. The government has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis, with calls for increased investment in education and a more equitable distribution of resources. This report from FRANCE 24 English provides the latest on the protests, including interviews with students and officials. Subscribe to France 24 for more news and analysis on this developing story.