Student protesters clash with police in Rome over cuts

Nov 30, 2010, 15:41 GMT

Rome - Police in Rome on Tuesday baton-charged groups of students who launched eggs and other missiles in protest against the Italian government's proposed university reforms.

Several people received light injuries in the clashes, which took place near the lower house of parliament. At least one person was detained, news reports said.

Thousands of students took to the streets in several other Italian cities to protest what they allege are crippling cuts to state tertiary education institutions.

In Venice, protesters for several hours staged a sit-in at the city's train station, while, in Turin, an unauthorized march through the city centre disrupted traffic.

Government officials condemned the protests and vowed to press ahead with the reform bill, which is currently being debated in parliament.

'The real students are at home studying, while those going around protesting ... are dropouts,' Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was quoted as saying by the ANSA news agency.

In similar protests last week, students stormed several of Italy's famous landmarks, including the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The reform proposal presented in parliament by Education Minister Maria Stella Gelmini 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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