Angry Students

Some time ago Signer Gentile, Minister of Education, hatched a little plot against Italian students. The main features of the plot were: a) to make it obligatory to pass all examinations before being admitted to a higher class, and b) to limit the number of State Schools (not elementary schools) and the number of students to each course.

This severely tried the tempers of the students. The idea of passing exams, especially the exams which they had "flunked," was particularly obnoxious to them, and they said so. The restrictions placed upon the State Schools denied admittance to large numbers of students. They, too, joined in the raucous uproar.

At Naples and Turin the students' movement became a veritable rebellion. At Naples several people were wounded and much damage was done.

Then upon the scenes of lawless disorder, thundered the voice of Benito Mussolini: "I consider the reform instituted by Signer Gentile, Minister of Education, one of the most important Fascist reforms approved by my Government."

The students' rebellion calmed down.