France student protests over school conditions draw 256,000

Over 256,000 students, teachers, and parents protested across France on Tuesday over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, and poor facilities. The Interior Ministry reported 256,000 participants nationwide, including 56,000 in Paris, while organizers claimed 450,000. Clashes with police led to numerous arrests and injuries, prompting the government to suspend high school classes. The protests began on September 21 at Saint-Exupéry high school and have since spread to major cities.