Italy’s Senate has passed Silvio Berlusconi’s controversial education reforms which have been subject to massive protests in Rome.

Around 200 students besieged Rome’s parliament building while voting took place. In the chamber, the government’s measures were easily adopted with 162 senators voting for and 134 against.

Sparking chaos nationwide in recent weeks with many students skipping classes, the law will see large budget and job cuts in Italy’s education system.

Demonstrators reacted angrily to the news as it reached them outside.
‘‘We are not going to budge until something changes,’‘ said one student protester.

Despite the mass action, Prime Minister Berlusconi has said he will not back down on his reforms.

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