Tense Scenes as Student Protesters Throw Firecrackers at Ministry Building

Italian students demonstrated in several cities, demanding increased investment in public education and improved school facilities. Protesters carried banners calling for a general strike on 30 October during a student demonstration in Rome, Italy, on Friday (16 October 2026). The protests were held in several major cities to oppose education policies and school conditions.

In Rome, demonstrators marched towards the Ministry of Education, with some throwing firecrackers at the building, which was guarded by police.

The action highlighted calls for increased investment in public education and improved learning environments in schools. Protesters urged the government to take steps to improve facilities and educational conditions.

The demonstrations in Italy were part of a wider wave of student and school pupil protests across Europe. In France, secondary school pupils have been protesting for several weeks, including by blocking access to schools, to demand more teachers and better facilities.

French pupils say deteriorating school buildings and overcrowded classrooms have disrupted learning. The protests reflect demands by students in several European countries for governments to pay greater attention to the state of education.