French High School Protests Turn Violent, Prompting National Crisis Meeting

France is grappling with widespread student protests that have escalated into "urban violence," according to government officials. The demonstrations, initially sparked by concerns over long school hours, teacher shortages, and deteriorating facilities, have spread rapidly across the nation. In response to the growing unrest, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu convened an emergency cabinet meeting and instructed ministers to cancel travel plans to focus on the crisis.

As a measure to ensure safety, many high schools are transitioning to online classes to protect both students and educators. The protests, which began in the Paris region, have now become a significant national concern, with hundreds of demonstrations and blockades reported outside high schools nationwide.