Pakistan, Oct. 2 -- Hundreds of French high schools closed Friday as student protests spread and violence continued across the country. Students blocked school entrances, burned rubbish and confronted police during demonstrations. The protests began in the Paris region last week before spreading nationwide. Students have raised concerns about long school hours and poor classroom conditions.

According to Education Minister Edouard Geffray, nearly 400 of France's 3,700 high schools faced closure Friday. Many schools also planned remote classes, particularly in Marseille. Geffray said students have legitimate concerns but condemned violent incidents surrounding the protests. He also warned that some groups had intensified the unrest.

Since...