Budget Cuts Planned to Italy's Schools

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--The Italian government, per Mariastella Gelmini, recently proposed massive budget cuts to its schools and universities, affecting 87,000 professors and 44,000 researchers. The cuts also affect maintenance of the building's structures.

Walter Veltroni, the leader of Italy's center-left Democratic party (PD), and Italy's opposition candidate, has promised to have the decree repealed.

One controversial addition to the proposed educational reform bill calls for "foreign students" to be taught in different classrooms, in the afternoon for intensive language classes. While many see intensive language classes as having a positive effect on the long-term education system, Gelmini was nevertheless forced to defend herself after claims of racism were lodged against her.

Gelmini has stated: "Racism has nothing to do with it. This has to do with integration. A little child, if he doesn't know the language, he learns it immediately. But a 10-year old, newly arrived in Italia, they will lag behind..."