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Hundreds Detained in France as Some Student Protests Turn Violent

French high schoolers are protesting teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms, in France’s latest flare-up over education and public services.

French authorities have detained at least 440 people during protests this week led by high school students who are angry about the state of the country’s education system. [...] A union of high school students said they were protesting a “lack of teachers and staff, dilapidated schools, overcrowded schedules and classrooms.” It also highlighted the stress caused by a state-run website that students must use to apply for admission to higher education programs, including undergraduate university places, and which is perceived as opaque and impersonal. [...] By Wednesday morning, nearly 80 people had been injured in the unrest, including students and staff members, according to France’s education minister, Édouard Geffray.