France School Protests Escalate, 440 Detained

High school protests over teacher shortages, crowded classes, school conditions and academic pressures spread from the Paris region to cities across France. On Tuesday, disruptions affected about 400 of the country’s 3,700 schools, and authorities detained around 440 people, mostly minors; officials reported injuries to teachers, students and 48 law-enforcement officers. Some demonstrations involved burning bins, vandalism and projectiles thrown at police, who used tear gas and batons; student representatives accused authorities of excessive force, while ministers condemned the violence and defended the police response. The unrest coincided with public-sector strikes and protests against government budget and austerity measures, including a planned 2027 budget with €54 billion in savings as France seeks to reduce its deficit. The protests have become a focus of political tensions ahead of the 2027 presidential election.