French student unrest spreads nationwide as teachers walk out

Hundreds of French high schools will shut Tuesday as teacher unions join a student-led protest movement demanding more money for education. The protests, calling for smaller class sizes, building renovations and a reform of the system that allocates university places, started in the Paris region in September before unexpectedly gaining steam last week with hundreds of blockades, some marred with fires, and violent clashes with the police. Leading unions, including Unsa, the CFDT and the CGT, have called for teachers to strike and join students in their protests, with a main demonstration expected in Paris in the afternoon.