// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
French PM warns against escalation of school protests after 164 arrested
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned reported violence during school blockades
France's Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has warned that any escalation in the country's current wave of student protests would be "irresponsible", following the arrests of 164 people on Monday.
The demonstrations, which began in Paris and have seen teenagers blockading their schools for days, stem from issues including overcrowded classes and teacher shortages.
Lecornu cited reported incidents at protests in a post on X, saying: "Fireworks, fires, violence near high schools: nothing justifies endangering students, staff, or police officers."
But a French union that defends the interests of high school students said the protests were a "legitimate response" to the conditions they face.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 12 members of the security forces, 12 students and three school staff were injured on Monday, while 180 schools were affected.
He did not provide further details on those who had been arrested.
The movement at French lycées, equivalent to sixth form in the UK or high school in the US, began last week in the Île-de-France region around Paris.
Incidents of vandalism were reported, along with fireworks being aimed at police, and the protests have now spread to other regions in France.
According to the AFP news agency, four high schools were reported to have been blockaded in the southern regions of Alpes-Maritimes and Var. Protests have also been reported in Marseille, the northern Lille area and Sedan in the north-eastern Ardennes.