Hundreds of schools shut by unrest as French students protest funding gapspublished at 09:55 BST
09:55 BST
Image source, Reuters
More than 400 schools across France have been shut as the French government says student protests have descended into “urban violence”.
Sixty-five staff members have been injured in the unrest and there has been “significant damage” to school facilities, with classes now taking place remotely, French education minister Édouard Geffray has said.
Student protests have broken out over a lack of teachers and staff, overcrowded classrooms and run-down buildings. University students also joined demonstrations on Thursday. The French interior ministry says 1,949 people were arrested, with 305 police officers injured.
The blockades and protests at French lycées – for 15 to 18-year-old students – began last week before spreading to hundreds of schools across the country.
So far, 1,027 lycées have been affected by demonstrations, with blockades at 222 of them, according to the interior ministry.
At least 30 universities have also reportedly been blockaded, including campuses in Rennes and Paris.
We’ll be following developments throughout the day – stay with us.