Between 400 and 500 French high schools stayed closed on Monday as student protests over crumbling buildings, teacher shortages and crowded classes entered a second week.

Education Minister Edouard Geffray said the closures covered full or partial class suspensions because security conditions were not met. The movement began in late September at a Paris suburb high school and spread nationwide via social media.

Students are demanding more teachers, repairs to dilapidated buildings and smaller classes. Teacher unions have called a strike for Tuesday, October 6, and student unions want a national day of demonstrations the same day.

The unrest has turned violent in places. Geffray said 24 schools were burned or ransacked and 78 education staff injured. Police have arrested about 5,000 people, mostly teenagers.

The government says restoring order is the priority. France is also struggling to pass a deficit-narrowing 2027 budget as the protests shake investor confidence.

Unions backing the protests say the demands are simple: safe buildings, filled teaching posts and manageable class sizes, none of which they say the budget delivers.