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Hundreds of schools across France are expected to partially or completely close as authorities respond to violent clashes linked to ongoing student protests.
French Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced on Sunday that between 400 and 500 high schools could have lessons partially or completely suspended on Monday because security conditions had not been met.
The announcement followed several days of clashes between student protesters and riot police as demonstrations spread across the country.
According to Geffray, 24 schools had been burned or ransacked since the protests began.
Thousands of students have taken part in demonstrations over concerns surrounding education standards. The movement, which began last week, has expanded beyond Paris to cities including Montpellier, Nantes and Marseille.
Among the concerns raised by students are a shortage of teachers, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating school facilities.
The scale of the unrest has prompted growing concern from government officials. French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said on Friday that 735 of the country's 3,700 schools had been affected in some way by the violent protests.
Authorities warned that the number of schools potentially affected on Monday could be similar to the figure recorded on Friday.
Despite the disruption, the education minister promised a gradual return to lessons where security conditions allow.
Geffray also claimed that activists, particularly those from the far left, had entered the student movement and contributed to the escalation of violence.
He said the situation posed risks to both students and education workers.
The education minister reported that 78 members of education staff had been wounded, describing the figure as unprecedented.
The protests have also resulted in a large number of arrests. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 1,747 people were arrested on Friday alone.
The overall number of arrests since the beginning of the movement has reportedly exceeded 5,000, with the AFP news agency reporting that approximately 85 percent of those arrested were minors.
Organisers have called for demonstrations to continue on Tuesday, accusing the government of failing to introduce concrete measures to address students' concerns.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on Sunday that the government was taking additional steps to respond to difficulties affecting students and education workers.
The measures include efforts to keep classes operating, improve school facilities, reorganise school schedules and make the university admissions system more transparent.
The government is also accelerating consideration of legislation intended to make people responsible for property damage pay for the costs associated with it.
As tensions continue, authorities face the challenge of addressing student concerns while restoring safety and normal learning conditions across the affected schools.
