Public schools across Italy were closed on Monday as teachers and school personnel went on strike amid fears of job cuts and slashed budgets. Two demonstrations were planned in the center of Rome, and every teachers' union except for one, Snals, planned to participate, news reports said. School staff are protesting a 2 percent cut in school personnel reportedly planned for next year's budget _ a move which would mean the loss of around 14,000 jobs. National education officials have not anticipated any cuts in their own budget plans, and teachers are demanding an explanation for the discrepancy. They are also pressuring the government for better contracts and investment plans, as well as protesting an education reform passed last year. Premier Silvio Berlusconi's government says the reform will modernize Italian schools _ with more English and computer lessons and flexible timetables _ while opposition parties and unions fear cuts in teaching hours.
