The demonstrations had already been planned prior to the start of the conflict last week but also turned into anti-war marches, with students mainly waving peace flags and banners against the war.

A major march was held in downtown Rome, with marchers filing past the Italian Education Ministry headquarters but prevented by police from reaching parliament. Large demonstrations were also held in Turin, Bologna, Milan, Bari and Naples.

The independent union Gilda said at least 60 percent of the teachers joined the strike in protest against Italian Education Minister Letizia Moratti's plans to reform secondary schooling and to push for the renewal of their contract, which expired 15 months ago.

The long-discussed and controversial package of reforms to Italian schooling won definitive parliamentary approval on March 12, paving the way for the first comprehensive overhaul of the system since 1923.

The reforms were drafted by Moratti, who says they will make the system "more modern, liberal and flexible" and give children greater opportunity to develop their own particular abilities.

The reforms keep the same basic 13-year structure for schooling, divided into five years of elementary school, three years of secondary or 'middle' school and five at high school.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2003)