France, Oct. 1 -- The unrest disrupted public transport in several cities, while Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu convened a crisis meeting as the government sought to contain the protests.

Some 340 demonstrations were under way outside high schools by mid-morning on Thursday, with more than 160 schools closed as a result, police said.

Around 30 university campuses were blocked on Thursday, the Union Etudiante (Student Union) said, including sites in Paris, Strasbourg, Marseille, Lyon, Reims, Poitiers and Nanterre.

The movement began in high schools about a week ago and had spread to 356 schools across the country by Wednesday, the Interior Ministry said.

Student grievances range from timetables, class sizes and a shortage of teachers...