Over 400 schools disrupted as student protests continue

Two weeks after the high school blockades began in France, 413 schools across the country were disrupted on Monday, according to the French Ministry of National Education. The ministry noted the figure was down 27 percent from 564 schools on Friday and 32 percent from 610 schools on Thursday.

In the Paris region, some 160 high schools were closed as of midday Monday, reported the French newspaper Le Monde. Some public university campuses in Paris have also joined the movement in solidarity with the high school students, who are demanding more funding for education and greater equality.

Although the situation appears calmer, several high school and college student organizations have called for a major nationwide demonstration for Tuesday, with a coalition of national education unions also urging participation. Since the movement began, some 5,000 people have been arrested on the fringes of the protests; about 85 percent of them are minors, according to French authorities.