Italy: Student protests continue against cuts in education

The students are protesting the passage of Law 133, the so-called Gelmini reform (after Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini). The decree will lead to at least 87,000 teaching jobs and 44,500 administrative posts being lost at state schools over the next three academic years to 2012. Universities also face the threat of privatisation. Many smaller schools are to be closed as part of €8 billion in cuts. The law will also re-introduce the single-teacher system for most subjects for children in primary schools.

According to a report at the ansa.it web site, many students carried banners stating their opposition to Law 133 and to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Mariastella Gelmini. Other students left a coffin symbolising the death of education in the entrance of the Senate.

Students from Rome high schools held up banners reading, “How long, Gelmini, will you abuse our patience?”

On the same day, smaller rallies were held in other Italian cities while protests were also held by Italian researchers and students in Germany, France and Belgium.