Student protests over worsening conditions in French schools have escalated, with fires reported in parts of the country as riot police respond to demonstrations.
The unrest, which began in Paris earlier this week, has spread to other areas as students protest a shortage of teachers, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating school buildings.
Images from Paris and Pantin showed burning barricades, rubbish bins set alight and large crowds of demonstrators facing riot police.
France’s Education Ministry said more than 500 schools have been disrupted by the protests, while at least 65 staff members have been injured amid the unrest.
A 16-year-old protester in Paris told the BBC: “We are angry,” saying that students needed to make “a lot of noise” to force improvements in the education system.
The demonstrations have increasingly raised concerns about public order, with authorities warning that the protests are moving beyond peaceful student action.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said: “We have gone from high-school student demonstrations to a public order disturbance.”
Police have been deployed to several locations as authorities attempt to contain the unrest and prevent further violence and damage.
The protests come amid wider concerns over resources and working conditions in France’s public education system. Students and staff have called for more teachers, better-maintained facilities and action to ease overcrowding.
