Thousands protest Italy university reforms

Nov 25, 2010, 13:00 GMT

Rome - Thousands of Italian university students staged protests around the country on Thursday against the conservative government's proposed education reforms.

In one incident, several dozen protestors climbed Pisa's Leaning Tower while others prevented tourists and other visitors from entering the Tuscan city's famous landmark, news reports said.

In Florence, scuffles broke out between police and students who tried to prevent a government official from attending a conference at the city's main university.

Several students and police received light injuries in the clashes, reports said.

Meanwhile in a second straight day of protests in Rome, thousands of students gathered for a sit-in in front of parliament's lower house and then marched on the city centre, disrupting traffic.

Protests were also being held in Genoa, Milan and Palermo, where students occupied the Sicilan capital's main train station for several hours.

Parliament is debating a bill presented by Education Minister Maria Stella Gelmini that includes cutting funds to faculties and courses which the government says attract only a few students and drain resources from other more vital areas of study.

However, critics, including the centre-left opposition, say the reforms will make less funds available for research projects and other investments universities have to make to guarantee high standards of education.

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