French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has warned that any escalation in the current wave of student protests would be "irresponsible" after Monday’s arrests of 164 people across the country.
The demonstrations, which began in Paris and have spread to schools nationwide, stem from longstanding grievances over overcrowded classes and a shortage of teachers.
Several teenagers have taken to blockading their schools for days, with incidents of vandalism, fireworks, fires, and a noted use of incendiary devices aimed at police.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that 12 security personnel, 12 students and three teachers were injured on Monday, while 180 institutions were affected.
He did not disclose details on the number or identities of the arrested.
Union representatives for high‑school students called the protests a legitimate response to the deteriorating educational environment, citing conditions such as dilapidated facilities, overloaded schedules and the pressures of Parcoursup, France’s university‑entry platform.
The Union Syndicale Lycéenne issued a statement urging students to continue blockades in defence of their rights against budget austerity.
In solidarity, teachers, hospital staff and civil servants also staged walk‑outs to protest low wages and poor working conditions.
During the volatile scenes, a police officer reportedly fired a round from a grenade launcher at a crowd, injuring a student.
Investigations into this and other violent incidents are underway, according to BFMTV.
Prime Minister Lecornu condemned the violence and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
He also accused the far‑left LFI party of encouraging students to intensify the movement, a claim countered by LFI leader Jean‑Luc Mélenchon, who blamed the government for the crackdown and characterised the students as "harmless".
