More than a quarter of a million people marched across France on Tuesday in support of high school students demanding more education funding.

The Interior Ministry counted about 266,000 protesters nationwide, including 56,000 in Paris. Organisers claimed 450,000 took part.

Students are protesting overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and poor school buildings. Many say classes have 36 students and overheat during heatwaves.

Police fired tear gas in Paris and other cities. Nearly 500 people were detained on Tuesday. The ministry said clashes broke out at the end of the Paris march.

The protests put pressure on the administration of outgoing President Emmanuel Macron. Student groups have called for new protests on Thursday.

The movement began at a high school in the Paris region in mid-September. It has grown into one of the largest student movements of Macron’s presidency.