France, Oct. 17 -- High school students began protests in September on the outskirts of Paris over teacher absences and shabby facilities.

Their action morphed into a nationwide movement against social inequality.

High school union representatives said they were disappointed with the lack of response after their meeting with French Education Minister Edouard Geffray on Thursday evening - the third such meeting since the movement began last month.

"We walked out of the meeting because we weren't being heard," said Marius Mesnil, of the Union syndicale lyceenne (USL, High School Student Union).

"We've been told there will be another meeting on Monday, but we will not be attending."

The USL announced that it intends to engage directly w...