France Student Protests continued on Friday as high school students blocked schools, set fires and clashed with police.

The movement began in the Paris region last week. It has since spread to cities across France.

Students in their final years have blocked entrances to schools. Some demonstrations have also led to confrontations with police.

The protesters say their school days are too long. They also complain about poor conditions and overheated classrooms.

Students have also raised concerns about staff shortages and frequent teacher absences.

The government has acknowledged their concerns. However, officials have condemned violence linked to the demonstrations.

Fires Reported at Paris Schools

Fire damaged the entrances of two schools in Paris on Friday.

The affected schools were Leonard de Vinci in southern Paris and Gaston-Bachelard in the southeast.

Firefighters arrived at both locations and extinguished the blazes, according to an AFP photographer.

Lahore Air Pollution City Tops Global Ranking Again

Police have used tear gas to disperse protesters in several locations.

Students have accused officers of using excessive force. They say some protesters suffered injuries during the clashes.

Nearly 400 Schools Affected

Education Minister Edouard Geffray said nearly 400 of France’s 3,700 high schools were expected to close on Friday.

He accused violent groups of exploiting the student movement.

Geffray said about 65 staff members had suffered injuries since the protests began. The figure includes 40 high school principals.

He also said around 170 students had been injured.

More than 100 schools have suffered what Geffray described as severe damage.

Several schools have switched to remote classes. The southern city of Marseille has been particularly affected.

Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said prosecutors should consider holding parents responsible for damage caused by their children.

He said parents could face demands to pay for repairs.

Darmanin told RTL that police had detained about 2,000 people since the protests began. He said around 90% of those detained were minors.

Students Say Protest Has Succeeded

In Rennes, western France, tensions remained high outside the Jean-Mace high school.

Some students wore black clothing and balaclavas. A heavy police presence stood nearby.

One 16-year-old student, who identified herself only as Lola, said protesters believed they had achieved their immediate goal.

“As far as we’re concerned, we’ve won — our school is closed this morning,” she said.

She also accused police of using excessive force.

Police used tear gas at the Kerichen high school in Brest, according to an AFP photographer.

Protests Become Political Issue

The demonstrations have also become a political issue ahead of France’s presidential election.

The election is due to take place in less than a year.

The government has accused the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party of supporting or encouraging the movement.

LFI senior official Manuel Bompard rejected the accusation. He said the government was relying on conspiracy theories.

The dispute has added a political dimension to protests that began with complaints about school conditions.

Government Seeks Dialogue

Education Minister Geffray said he would meet education unions and high school student associations on Friday.

The meeting aims to open talks and find areas of agreement.

The government faces pressure to address students’ concerns while also preventing further violence and damage.

The protests continue as authorities try to restore normal operations at hundreds of schools across France.