War did not seriously interfere with the grammar and high schools
throughout Italy. It is in the higher schools, such as the
universities, the medical colleges and in the technical schools that
a changed condition is seen. Women came to the aid of the country in
the crisis which called so many men to the colors. Many of the teachers
in the elementary schools are women and girls, who are ably taking the
places of the men whose positions were made vacant.
For the schools where higher education is taught, it is quite a
different and more complex problem. To teach in a university or in a
medical college certain qualifications are absolutely essential. Years
of study and preparation are needed, and for this work but a limited
number of women were available.
On the other hand, the necessities of war called to action thousands
of young men who otherwise would have attended the various schools for
higher education. As a result the number of students in practically all
of these schools has fallen off materially, and there has not been the
need for so many professors.
The Government is anxious not to discourage higher education; in
fact, it is doing all it can to maintain it, as was evident in the
establishment of the Camp Universities. It was inevitable that the
attendance at the higher schools could not be maintained as in peace
time, and the reduction in the number of pupils fortunately made
possible a corresponding diminution of teachers.
By a system which permitted the return of professors in service at
the front, although only for a limited period, the efficiency of
the various universities and colleges was continued through the war.
Students co-operated with the Government, some even giving up their
furloughs to attend school.
Education for the youth of the land is still compulsory. The standard
of wages among teachers remains very low, and out of proportion to the
increased cost of living, but the recipients seem willing to sacrifice
comfort for the general good.
Old men, who in their youth taught school, volunteered to return to a
labor of love. It was this spirit which made possible the maintenance
of education. Italy is a poor country, but her sons and daughters
are eager to learn, and, poor as they are, they are willing to make
sacrifices rather than give up attending school.
Many of the art students are gone, and some of the schools are closed.
Beppo the model is no longer to be found on the steps of the Piazza
Espagne, but the love of art has sufficed to keep some of the art
schools going, no matter how rigorous the conditions.
Music is in the soul of the Italian, and the conservatories will
continue in session as long as there is a pupil left. On the whole,
educational conditions are as good as present-day circumstances will
permit.
[Illustration: TAKING DOWN THE HORSES OF ST. MARK'S, VENICE