Student protesters clash with police in Rome over cuts

ROME - Police in Rome 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.

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.

The controversial bill was passed by a vote of 307 to 252 and now goes to the Senate for approval.

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.

Organisers said around 50,000 took part in the Rome protests, 15,000 in Genua and 5,000 in Pisa where a motorway had to be closed because it was blocked by students.

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

Government officials condemned the protests.

“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.

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