Why are French high school students protesting?

What began on September 21 as local class boycotts in deprived areas of Paris over teacher shortages has grown into a nationwide protest movement involving tens of thousands of high school students, trade unionists and parents.

The demonstrations, now in their third week, have spread across major cities including Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Nantes and Rennes, reports Al Jazeera.

What are students protesting?

Students are protesting poor conditions in high schools, including absent teachers who are not replaced, rodent-infested and dilapidated buildings, inadequate tables and chairs, overcrowded classrooms and long school hours.

The condition of schools has also been affected by intense summer heatwaves. Poorly maintained buildings without air conditioning made learning conditions particularly difficult during periods of extreme heat.

The protests have also coincided with wider public sector strikes over President Emmanuel Macron's proposed budget plans.

The government is seeking €54 billion ($61.3 billion) in savings for 2027 and has proposed a €2 billion salary freeze for public sector employees. Protesters are also opposing broader cost-of-living pressures, including rising fuel and commodity prices and cuts to public spending.

How far has the unrest spread?

School blockades disrupted 589 schools during one week, down from 735 the previous week, while about 500 schools were closed.

At least 24 schools have been burned or ransacked.

Authorities have arrested more than 6,100 people, many of them under the age of 18. Reported injuries include at least 190 high school students, 78 teaching staff and 715 police officers.

In the city of Lens, a 15-year-old student lost his hand in a stun grenade explosion.

What has been the police response?

Demonstrators have been accused of throwing objects at police, while officers have reportedly used batons, tear gas and rubber bullets.

Amnesty International has criticised the heavy use of force against minors.

In Paris, parent associations have formed physical buffers between police and students in an effort to protect young demonstrators.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has defended police actions as proportionate in almost all cases, saying the demonstrations were shifting into "riots".

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has accused political opponents of fuelling the escalation. He has promised a report on student demands by the end of the month and said the government would not yield to violence.

What is the political significance?

The unrest has highlighted the political and fiscal fragility of Macron's administration ahead of upcoming presidential elections.

The protests come as the government faces pressure over its proposed spending cuts and efforts to reduce public expenditure.

Opposition leader Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally has introduced a shadow budget proposing €140 billion ($157.6 billion) in long-term spending cuts.

The combination of school grievances, wider public sector opposition and concerns over living costs has turned the student protests into part of a broader challenge to the government's budget plans.