Mass protests by high school students in France have escalated into riots, with 625 people detained, according to the Interior Ministry, reports infohub.kz.
The demonstrations, which began nearly two weeks ago, have spread to 356 schools. In various cities, protesters set cars and garbage containers on fire and vandalized school buildings. Teachers have been attacked. Police were pelted with stones and fireworks.
Eighty-three police officers and gendarmes were injured. The Education Ministry reports 119 injured students and school staff.
Initially, students were protesting against insufficient funding, teacher shortages and other problems in the school education system, but the protests quickly turned violent.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the concerns of young people are legitimate, but violence against police, teachers and journalists cannot be justified. He added that police misconduct must also be prosecuted under the law.
Earlier reports said France was gripped by high school student protests — for a week, students have been blocking schools. The previous day, 440 people were reported detained.