Many of Italy’s educational institutions came to a standstill yesterday as students across the country protested against sweeping cuts proposed by the Education Minister, Mariastella Gelmini. Students occupied 44 public universities and in some cities their teachers joined the demonstrations.
There were ugly scenes in Rome as students pushed their way into the Senate Chamber whilst outside the Parliament building, their companions threw eggs and stones, shouting, “Give us our future back!” and “Resign!”, a chant aimed at Minister Gelmini. Police with batons prevented the students from reaching the Chamber of Deputies but eight policemen were injured and one Senate member had a dizzy spell. Several students suffered minor injuries.
Democratic Party Secretary Pier Luigi Bersani joined students and teachers who were protesting on the roof of the Faculty of Architecture in Rome’s Piazza Borghese and this is being widely seen as a message to the Italian people that the Democratic Party is ready to take on Mr Berlusconi in an election.
The number of specialist teachers in primary schools has already been drastically cut in Italy and thousands of teachers are without permanent contracts. Under the proposed reforms, thousands
more would lose their jobs in all sectors and many schools would be linked with businesses, a move which is seen by the Opposition as “privatisation by the back door”. Minister Gelmini also wants to reform the university system and the number of subjects being offered in universities has already decreased.
Yesterday’s violence has been condemned by all parties but student leaders said that the protests will continue.
