Protests and school blockades have reignited across France as high school students continue their demonstrations for increased education funding and improved school conditions. The protests resumed just one day after Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu instructed ministers to develop an action plan addressing student demands.

University students and several trade unions have joined the ongoing nationwide movement, with significant rallies anticipated in the capital. The demonstrations, which began on September 21 in a Parisian high school, have seen tens of thousands of students across the country marching with grievances ranging from the need for school building renovations to a reduction in classroom hours.

Reporting from Paris, Al Jazeera's Natacha Butler observed university students barricading streets in solidarity with high schoolers, emphasizing the importance of broad youth participation. "They are out, they say, in solidarity with high school students because they say it’s important that as many young people join in the protests as possible," Butler stated.

The protests have placed mounting pressure on the outgoing government of Emmanuel Macron, with national elections approaching in April. Authorities reported that 375 schools were either fully or partially closed on Thursday, with two dozen experiencing fire damage or destruction. The Interior Ministry stated that approximately 6,600 arrests have been made, predominantly involving minors.

The response from security forces has drawn criticism from rights groups, who allege disproportionate use of force. Several demonstrators have sustained injuries, including a teenager who lost a hand and another who suffered a shattered jaw from an exploding stun grenade, which has since been banned during marches. Authorities, however, have reported injuries among police officers and teachers, attributing violent acts to students.

Prime Minister Lecornu condemned the violence during a televised address, attributing it partly to "political leaders who use this anger to conduct their electoral battles." This statement followed opposition leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon's call for protesters to continue their demonstrations. Lecornu has mandated ministers to present a concrete action plan by the end of the month.

Despite the government's pledge, student protesters remain skeptical, expressing a belief that the administration offers talk without tangible solutions. "As far as they are concerned, the government only talks about solutions but never actually comes up with concrete actions, so they say they are going to keep coming out onto the streets until their demands are met," Butler reported.

The situation highlights a persistent tension between student demands for systemic change in the education sector and the government's efforts to manage public unrest while facing electoral pressures.