Paris, France: A nationwide student protest movement over school conditions has intensified across France, with demonstrations spreading from the Paris region to cities around the country and clashes occurring between students and police.

The protests began in the Paris suburbs, particularly in the Seine-Saint-Denis area, where students have raised concerns about overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, deteriorating school buildings and inadequate facilities. The movement has since expanded to hundreds of schools nationwide.

On Friday, demonstrations became increasingly tense in several cities. Police used tear gas in some locations, while protesters were reported to have thrown projectiles and set rubbish bins or other objects on fire. Authorities also reported attacks involving police officers, teachers and other people.

French Education Minister Édouard Geffray said 735 of the country’s approximately 3,700 high schools were affected by the protests in some form on Friday. Authorities also reported hundreds of arrests during the unrest.

Students say their demands are primarily focused on improving learning conditions. They have highlighted crowded classrooms, insufficient teachers, long school hours and problems with school infrastructure.

The protests have also raised concerns about inequality in education. Students from poorer communities in and around Paris have argued that the quality of their education should not depend on where they live.

The government has acknowledged students’ concerns while condemning violence and damage to public property. Officials have also announced measures intended to improve the replacement of absent teachers.

Teachers’ unions have become increasingly involved in the dispute. Unions have called for further action, while student organisations have indicated that additional demonstrations could take place next week.

The dispute is also taking place against a difficult budgetary backdrop. France’s proposed education budget is set to rise by 1.7 percent, below the rate of inflation, while the government faces broader pressure to control public finances.

The protests have generated a separate debate over policing. Rights groups and protesters have criticised the use of tear gas, batons and other crowd-control measures, while authorities have defended police intervention when demonstrations become violent. French authorities have opened investigations into allegations of police violence.

The movement has now become a major national issue rather than a dispute limited to individual schools. With students and unions preparing for further action, pressure is mounting on the government to address educational concerns while preventing further violence.

The immediate challenge for France is now twofold: responding to students’ demands for better schools while restoring calm on the streets. With hundreds of schools affected and further demonstrations planned, the government’s next response could determine whether the dispute moves toward negotiations or develops into a longer-running national confrontation.