Italy's universities are seeing
a progressive decline in student numbers, Education Minister
Stefania Giannini said Thursday, urging authorities to seek a
solution to the growing problem.
"The system is hemorrhaging," Giannini said at an
inauguration ceremony for Roma Tre University's academic year.
"Enrollment has dropped by 70,000 students in five years,
which is a worry," she said.
"It's a sign of difficult conditions, a growth in social
unease, but also of a lack or decline in confidence in the value
of higher education".
She reaffirmed the need for student bursaries to be managed
by universities, rather than by regional authorities, noting
cases when funds were delayed or lost.
"This is my position, which we will have to discuss in the
government," she said.
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