France’s prime minister cautioned against the escalation of student demonstrations as protests by high school students expanded beyond the Paris region. The movement, which began last week in the Île-de-France area, has seen teenagers blockading schools and taking to the streets to protest issues including overcrowded classrooms, heavy workloads, and shortages of teaching staff.

Initially concentrated around Paris, the protests have involved incidents such as vandalism and the use of fireworks directed at police. Authorities express concern over the increasing scale and intensity of the demonstrations, which have now been reported in multiple regions outside the capital’s vicinity.

The prime minister described any further escalation of the protests as “irresponsible,” urging students and others involved to engage in dialogue rather than disruption. The government has acknowledged the challenges facing the education system but has emphasized maintaining order and ensuring that educational activities continue without interruption.

The demonstrations come amid broader concerns about resource allocation and working conditions within French secondary schools. While the students seek to highlight these challenges, officials are working to balance the demand for improvements with the need to avoid widespread closures and disturbances in schools nationwide.