Youngsters hail end to university tests

(ANSA) Rome, May 21 - The Italian government's plan to abolish entry tests for universities has been welcomed by as many as seven in 10 Italian high school students, a survey disclosed Wednesday.
    Only 15 % of students interviewed by the website Skuola.net said they preferred to retain the traditional tests for entry to popular faculties such as architecture, medicine and engineering while 16 % were indifferent saying that nothing would change as a result of abolishing the tests as Education Minister Stefania Giannini announced Tuesday she plans to do.
    Six out of 10 students interviewed said they were aware that instead of the tests a selection will be made at the end of students' first year in university to see who will be allowed to continue for a second year, as happens already in France. Some 22 % of the students interviewed said they are not familiar with the Frenhc system but are sure it will be better anyway but 19% of students admitted they had misunderstood the announcement, thinking it meant that there would be no selection whatsoever.
    Critics of the decision point out that it will mean overcrowded courses in first year studies while many students interviewed saw the announcement as an electoral ploy ahead of Sunday's European elections.