At least 400 high schools have been closed across France as student protests over poor learning conditions, teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms.
The protests, which began in the Paris region last week, escalated into violent clashes with police, reports Reuters.
Across France, students have been blocking school entrances, setting fires and confronting security forces.
France has about 3,700 high schools, according to the Education Ministry.
About 400 schools were expected to remain closed, with some switching to remote learning.
Education Minister, Édouard Geffray, said the priority was to protect students as the violence intensified.
“What matters now is ensuring our children are no longer out on the streets, because they are in danger,” he said.
He urged parents to keep their children away from the blockades, warning of the risks posed by the unrest.
Kesia, a 15-year-old student, told our correspondent that her school had 35 students in a class and not enough chairs, while the lunch period was too short for everyone to get food.
The protests have grown increasingly violent in several cities. In Paris, fires damaged the entrances of two high schools, while police used tear gas during clashes with protesters.
In Strasbourg, Marseille and Rennes, there were reports of fires, fireworks being directed at police and other confrontations.
According to Geffray, at least 170 students and 65 education workers, including 40 school principals, have been injured since the protests began. More than 100 high schools have also suffered serious damage.
Geffray said the student movement had been overtaken by violent groups.
“The high school protest movement has been taken hostage by ultra-violent groups,” he said, according to Le Monde.
The government has announced further talks with teachers’ unions, student organisations and parents’ representatives in an attempt to address the concerns behind the protests.
The unrest has also increased pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government, which is already facing wider disputes over its budget plans.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said approximately 2,000 people had been detained so far, most of them children.
