QUITO, Ecuador, Jan 25 (Reuters) - The Ecuadorean government on Wednesday ordered all schools to be closed in the capital to try and defuse violent student protests.

The Ministry of Education said classes in Quito's public and private schools will be suspended on Thursday in response to clashes over the past two weeks between riot police and hundreds of high school and university students armed with sticks and rocks.

The students are protesting against possible increase in public transportation fares and demanding that the government issue student identification cards that would allow them to get fare discounts.

The police arrested 192 students last week. No deaths have been reported but dozens of policemen and students have been treated for minor injuries, according to the Red Cross.

If the protests continue schools could also close on Friday, an education ministry spokeswoman said.