Up to 500 French schools to close fully or partially on Monday, minister says

FRANCE, PARIS, LA CIOTAT, 5 OCTOBER 2026 —

France to shut up to 500 schools as student protests escalate into nationwide violence, with 78 teachers injured and 24 schools burned

The closures follow a surge in unrest that has seen 24 schools burned or ransacked since the movement began, with authorities warning of far-left activists exploiting the demonstrations to incite extreme violence.

The protests, which began at a Paris school on September 17 and spread nationwide last week, have disrupted education across France, with students citing teacher absenteeism, overlong school days, and deteriorating facilities as key grievances. Geffray stated that security conditions had not been met in 400–500 schools, forcing suspensions—comparable to the closures enforced on Friday—though he pledged a "partial, progressive return to lessons" in the coming days.

The minister’s remarks came as organisers vowed to maintain protests on Tuesday, citing the government’s failure to implement "concrete measures" to address their demands.

The unrest has spiraled into clashes between students and security forces, with over 5,000 arrests since the movement’s inception, 85% of them minors. Geffray accused far-left activists of "hijacking" the student movement, alleging they had orchestrated the violence to target educators. He revealed that 78 education staff members had been wounded—"something we have never seen before"—with some deliberately attacked for their roles in the national education system.

The minister’s claims were underscored by a Sunday arrest of a 16-year-old in La Ciotat, accused of assaulting a 59-year-old teacher who was doused with gasoline and struck during a protest on Friday. A viral video showed an individual in black, masked, splashing liquid on the teacher as a nearby tree burned.

The protests have drawn criticism over police tactics, with reports of tear gas and baton charges used to disperse crowds. Geffray’s decision to close schools reflects growing concerns over safety, as the violence has extended beyond traditional student demonstrations into arson, assaults on teachers, and coordinated attacks on school property. The minister’s warning of "extreme violence" suggests a deliberate escalation, with authorities struggling to contain the unrest while balancing demands for educational reform.

For Malaysia and regional observers, the crisis highlights broader challenges in managing youth-led movements, particularly when political or ideological factions exploit social grievances. The French government’s response—ranging from school closures to arrests—mirrors tensions seen in other nations where student protests intersect with broader societal discontent. While the immediate impact remains localized, the prolonged disruptions could signal deeper systemic issues in France’s education sector, with potential long-term effects on academic performance and public trust in institutions.

The next critical phase will unfold on Tuesday, as protesters prepare to resume demonstrations while authorities assess whether Geffray’s measures—including a promised "progressive return" to classes—can restore order. The arrest of the 16-year-old attacker and the circulation of footage depicting the assault on the teacher underscore the severity of the violence, leaving unanswered questions about whether the government’s response will suffice to de-escalate the crisis.

For now, France’s education system remains in limbo, with schools shuttered and the future of the protests hanging in the balance.

Related: Édouard Geffray