Student protests have escalated significantly across France, with over 400 people detained nationwide following demonstrations triggered by systemic education issues, including overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages.

The unrest has resulted in numerous injuries among teachers, students, and police officers, impacting approximately 400 schools.

According to the BBC, more than 400 individuals were detained on Tuesday, September 29, as the student demonstrations spread widely.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that the majority of those detained are minors.

Originating in Paris, the protest movement has seen students blockading school entrances for several days.

The demonstrations stem from widespread anger over various issues, including oversized classes and a lack of educators.

Officials reported that Tuesday's protests left at least 10 teachers and several students injured, alongside 48 law enforcement personnel.

Data from the French Ministry of Education indicates that at least 400 schools have been affected by the protests.

Images and footage from the scenes showed demonstrators setting fire to rubbish bins and damaging bus shelters.

Speaking to AFP, a 16-year-old female student said, "We are here to send a message. We didn't come to smash everything up for no reason. We are here to say that the education system is completely broken. We have 34 students in every single class, which is completely unrealistic. Teachers are overwhelmed with excessive workloads."

French Education Minister Édouard Geffray posted on social media platform X, stating that students have the right to demonstrate, but strongly condemned the reports of violence as "incompletely unjustifiable."

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told BFM TV that 440 people had been detained. "We do not have a final count yet, but I am told that two-thirds of them have been taken into police custody," he said.

French media reported that protesters hurled objects at police, who responded by using baton charges and tear gas. Riyad Rani, president of the student union Union Syndicale Lycéenne, told AFP that the French government is conducting a "crackdown" on demonstrators, accusing police of using excessive force.

While several French politicians criticized the police's role in handling the protests, Nuñez defended the actions, stating that police responses were "extremely restrained and proportionate."

On Tuesday evening, Education Minister Geffray posted on social media: "The right to demonstrate is a fundamental freedom.

However, it can under no circumstances be used as an excuse for such actions. Legitimizing these acts or calling for further blockades in this situation puts our students and public servants at risk. This is irresponsible behavior."

The movement began last week in the Île-de-France region surrounding Paris within French lycées—equivalent to sixth form colleges in the UK or high schools in the US.

Prior to Tuesday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had warned on Monday that if the student protests turned increasingly violent, it would be "irresponsible." Earlier arrests had totaled 164.

Concurrently with Tuesday's student demonstrations, nationwide strikes called by unions representing teachers, hospital workers, and civil servants were also observed.

Workers participated in these actions to protest low wages and poor working conditions.

Nuñez noted that at least 200,000 people took part in these labor actions, though most areas concluded without major incidents.