Italian teachers' protests on November 11 against cuts to the 2027 education budget

Update

Italian teachers and school staff protest on November 11 against cuts to the 2027 education budget

Unions representing teachers and other employees in Italy's education system have announced they will hold a protest in central Rome on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, to reject job cuts planned in the government's draft budget for 2027, reports news agency ANSA. ^[2]

The demonstration will take place in Piazza Vidoni, a historic square in the heart of the capital, considered the central point of the action, stated the organizing unions: CISL Scuola, UIL Scuola Rua, SNALS Confsal, and ANIEF. ^[2]

The draft budget provides for a reduction of nearly 5,000 teaching positions and approximately 2,000 non-teaching positions, starting from the 2027–2028 academic year. The government justifies this measure by citing demographic trends and Italy's declining birthrate, which lead to fewer students and consequently less need for personnel. ^[2]

Unions and opposition parties challenge the government's logic, arguing that instead of eliminating jobs, the state should maintain the current level of staffing. They say the measure would allow for a decrease in the number of students per class, directly improving the quality of education. ^[2]

Education underfunding remains one of the main causes of recent social tensions. Recent weeks of protests have seen participation by young people from across Italy, with some demonstrations turning violent, according to ANSA. ^[2]

CGIL’s education sector branch, Italy’s largest trade union confederation, will not participate in the November 11 action due to its involvement in the general strike scheduled for November 20. ^[2]

Update

Italian teachers' protests on November 11 against job cuts in the 2027 education budget

Unions representing teachers and other employees in Italy's education system will hold a protest on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, against job cuts outlined in the government's draft budget for 2027, reports news agency ANSA. The main demonstration will take place in Piazza Vidoni in central Rome and is organized by the unions CISL Scuola, UIL Scuola Rua, SNALS Confsal, and ANIEF. ^[3]

The draft budget calls for the elimination of nearly 5,000 teaching positions and approximately 2,000 non-teaching positions, starting in the 2027–2028 academic year. The government justifies the measure by pointing to declining student numbers driven by demographic trends and falling birthrates, which reduce the need for school staff. Unions and opposition parties challenge this approach, calling for maintaining current staffing levels to reduce class sizes and improve educational quality. ^[3]

Underfunding of the education system has been one of the key issues in recent protests across several regions of Italy, involving youth participants, with some demonstrations escalating into violence. CGIL’s education sector branch, Italy’s largest trade union confederation, will not participate in the November 11 protest, opting instead to focus on actions related to the general strike scheduled for November 20. ^[3]