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French secondary students have been protesting for over two weeks against overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages, with more than 6,100 detained. France spends 5.1 percent of GDP on public education, above the EU average but below Sweden, Iceland and Belgium, amid wider public-sector strikes over a proposed 2027 budget.
France's interior minister announced a temporary halt to police use of stun grenades during student-led protests, following days of tensions and accusations of excessive force. The move came after a 15-year-old lost a hand and a 14-year-old was seriously injured. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is expected to make a public statement on the protests and the country's finances.
Hundreds of French secondary schools have closed as student protests over crumbling facilities and teacher shortages spread nationwide. Education Minister Edouard Geffray said 400-500 of the country's 3,700 schools could be fully or partially shut on Monday, with 24 schools burned or ransacked and 78 teachers injured since the unrest began. Student unions have called a national day of protest for Tuesday.
