More than 400 students, mostly minors, were detained during nationwide protests in France on Tuesday, the interior minister announced.
Students, angry over overcrowded classes and teacher shortages, blocked schools across the country, starting in Paris and spreading to an estimated 400 schools.
Images from the scenes show bins ignited on school grounds and students setting up barricades at entrances, while police deployed batons and tear gas in response.
At least ten teachers and several students were reported wounded, and police said 48 officers sustained injuries during the clashes.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray said the right to protest is fundamental, but condemned violent actions as indefensible and warned against extending the blockades as they would endanger students and staff.
The interior minister said roughly two thirds of the detained were taken into custody, though the final numbers are still being tallied.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has warned that any escalation would be irresponsible and caused him to urge restraint, particularly after the arrest of 164 people last week.
These protests overlap with nationwide walkouts by teachers, hospital staff and civil servants who are demanding better wages and work conditions.
Critics accuse police of overreaction and call for reforms to address the root causes of the unrest, including class size and teacher recruitment.
