Around 400 to 500 French High Schools Suspend Classes Amid Security Concerns

On October 4, 2026, Education Minister Edouard Geffray announced that between 400 and 500 high schools across France would suspend classes starting Monday due to significant security issues. The decision follows incidents where 24 schools were reportedly vandalized or lit on fire, raising serious safety concerns for students and staff.

Minister Geffray emphasized that schools identified as unsafe will remain closed until conditions improve. The closures stem from both material damages to school infrastructure and direct threats targeting educational personnel. Such threats have prompted a cautious approach to reopening educational facilities nationally.

This wave of closures coincides with a mobilization organized by the inter-union of education, encompassing student and high school unions, signaling heightened tensions within the education sector. The minister outlined that the safety conditions necessary for reopening many schools have yet to be met, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

The issue highlights growing unrest and security challenges faced by French educational institutions, with the Ministry working to balance continuity in education against the imperative of safeguarding staff and students. As efforts progress to restore safe learning environments, the government remains attentive to developments that may impact the national educational landscape.

According to Minister Geffray, "Certain establishments are currently non-secure, and this has forced us to reconsider reopening plans, given both material damage and direct threats against personnel. Our priority is the safety of everyone on school grounds."

The situation remains evolving, with schools expected to reopen where conditions allow, while others remain closed pending clearance. The mobilizations and associated closures underline a critical moment for French education amid broader social and security concerns.