Italian students took to the streets on Friday (October 16), staging demonstrations in several major cities across the country. In Rome, students marched to the Education Ministry, where some protesters threw firecrackers at the ministry building, which was guarded by police.

The protests focused on education policies and conditions in schools, with demonstrators calling for greater investment in public education and improved learning environments.

The unrest is part of a wave of student activism in Europe. In France, high school students have staged weeks of protests and school blockades demanding more teachers and better facilities, arguing that deteriorating school buildings and overcrowded classrooms are undermining education.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Italian students protest outside education ministry in Rome

VIDEO SHOWS: ITALIAN STUDENTS MARCHING / STUDENTS PROTESTING OUTSIDE EDUCATION MINISTRY IN ROME

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: ROME, ITALY (OCTOBER 16, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. POLICE / STUDENTS MARCHING (INCLUDES PROFANE LANGUAGE)

2. STUDENTS MARCHING

3. POLICEMEN STANDING

4. VARIOUS OF STUDENTS MARCHING

5. POLICEMEN STANDING IN FRONT OF EDUCATION MINISTRY

6. STUDENTS MARCHING

7. POLICEMEN STANDING IN FRONT OF EDUCATION MINISTRY

8. VARIOUS OF STUDENTS STANDING IN FRONT OF EDUCATION MINISTRY

9. VARIOUS OF STUDENTS THROWING FIRECRACKERS

10. STUDENTS HANDLING FIRE EXTINGUISHER

11. VARIOUS OF POLICEMEN STANDING IN FRONT OF EDUCATION MINISTRY