Schools set on fire and 2,000 arrests as student protests spread across France

WorldPolitics
2 Oct 2026 • 9:41 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Schools set on fire and 2,000 arrests as student protests spread across France

  • Nearly 2,000 people have been arrested in a single day during escalating student protests across France over teacher shortages and dilapidated school conditions.
  • More than 500 schools have been closed and dozens of staff injured as demonstrations turned violent, with school buildings and vehicles set on fire.
  • Intelligence agencies claimed hard-left politicians helped initiate the unrest, though lawmakers denied the allegations and ministers blamed a violent minority for escalating clashes.
  • Serious incidents include a police officer being beaten, teachers targeted with iron bars and petrol, and public transport suspended in Marseille following attacks.
  • Education Minister Edouard Geffray conceded that student demands regarding school conditions are legitimate and agreed to hold talks with union and student representatives.

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