Italian Students protest school budget cuts

Thousands of students took to the streets in Italy on Friday for a protest against budget cuts to public schools. The demonstration was held in 90 Italian cities, with the title of a "hot autumn". Many marched with various banners and slogans such "Save Schools not Banks." A coalition of student groups in a statement said cuts to public instruction amount to "a dismantling of public education". Protesters held that the government overseen by prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is doing little for young workers, according to Adnkronos news agency. Recently, Italian schools have been affected by government measures passed in September to trim 54 billion euros in spending with a pledge to balance its budget in 2013. But ratings agencies Standard and Poor's and Moody's still cut ratings for Italy after the measures passed because they are concerns over expected slow growth in Italy. Of Italians between 15 and 24 years of age, 27.4 percent were without work in August, national statistics agency Istat said in a report. That rises to 44 percent for women. A total 27.6 percent of young people were unemployed in August this year, data shows.