France detains over 400 students amid nationwide school protests

Tue Sep 29 2026 23:25:32 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

France detains 400 students and minors after nationwide school protests over overcrowding and teacher shortages, sparking violence and government backlash.

In a wave of student-led protests across France, more than 400 individuals—predominantly minors—were detained following school blockades that began in Paris and spread nationwide. The demonstrations, driven by overcrowded classrooms and a severe teacher shortage, left at least 10 teachers and 48 police officers injured and caused damage to school property. While French officials defended students’ right to protest, they condemned the violence and cited the use of tear gas and batons. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu warned against escalation, and union walkouts added pressure on the government to address the education crisis.

More than 400 people, mostly minors, were detained in France on Tuesday over student protests at high schools across the country, the French interior minister said.

The demonstrations, which began in Paris and have seen teenagers blockade their schools for days, stem from issues including overcrowded classes and teacher shortages.

At least 10 teachers and several students, as well as 48 law enforcement officials, were injured during Tuesday's protests, officials said. At least 400 schools were affected.

Pictured: students blocking the entrance of a high school in Lille as part of the national protest campaign.

"We're here to deliver a message," one 16‑year‑old female student told AFP. "We're not here to smash everything up for no reason. We're here precisely to say that the education system is completely broken. There are 34 of us in each class, and it's just not feasible. The teachers are overworked."

Taking to X, French Education Minister Édouard Geffray said students have the right to protest but condemned reports of violence as "indefensible".

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told BFMTV that 440 people were detained and added, "We don't have the final tally yet, but I'm told two thirds led to police custody."

French media reported that protesters hurled projectiles at police, who responded with batons and tear gas.

Speaking to AFP, Ryad Rani, president of Union Syndicale Lycéenne, accused the government of "repression" and police of using excessive force.

When asked about the police response, Nuñez said it had been "carried out in an extremely proportionate manner."

On Tuesday evening, Education Minister Geffray wrote on social media: "The right to demonstrate is a fundamental freedom that cannot serve as an excuse for such actions. To legitimise them or, in this context, to call for extending the blockades is to endanger our students as well as public employees. It is irresponsible."

The movement at French lycées began last week in the Île‑de‑France region around Paris.

On Monday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu warned that any escalation would be "irresponsible" following the arrest of 164 people. He cited incidents of fireworks, fires, and violence near high schools, saying "nothing justifies endangering students, staff, or police officers."

These student demonstrations coincided with nationwide walkouts by unions representing teachers, hospital staff and civil servants over low wages and working conditions. Lecornu said the protests, with at least 200,000 participants reported, mostly went without incident, but 440 were detained on Tuesday alone.