About 400 French schools remained closed Friday after student blockades and clashes with police, while the education ministry reported disruption at 564 schools nationwide. Education Minister Edouard Geffray said 40 headteachers had been injured in the protests over learning conditions and resources.

Around 1,949 people were arrested Thursday as students demonstrated outside more than 1,000 schools and blockaded 222 of them. Students set fire to at least two schools as the unrest spread. Police fired tear gas at protesters in Paris, while students hurled firecrackers at riot police in nearby Pantin.

Students are demanding action on teacher shortages, overcrowded and overheated classrooms, long school days and deteriorating buildings. The demonstrations coincide with a public sector strike against proposed government budget cuts. The far-left France Unbowed party denied allegations that it helped start the movement, while maintaining its support for the demonstrators.