L’istruzione

Traditional Education in Italy

Historically, education in Italy was heavily influenced by the Catholic Church, until the establishment of a national education system in the 19th century.
Traditionally, education was a privilege of the elites with many children of working-class families receiving limited schooling.

Post World War II, education reform aimed to create a more inclusive and egalitarian system.
The Casati Law and the Gentile Reform shaped the modern Italian education system, establishing compulsory education and making it more accessible.
Education in Italy is now divided into five stages: kindergarten, primary school, lower secondary school, upper secondary school, and university.
Recent reforms aim to modernise the curriculum and teaching methods, with an emphasis on digital literacy, language acquisition, and a learner-centred approach.

Despite progress, the Italian education system faces challenges, including regional disparities in education quality, early school leaving, and poor performance in global rankings.
Budget cuts have also affected the quality of education with schools struggling to maintain infrastructure and resources.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) offers a practical alternative to traditional academic paths, preparing students for specific trades or professions.
Despite being less prestigious, VET offers opportunities for students disenfranchised with traditional education to acquire employable skills and aid social cohesion.

Education plays a key role in social mobility and has traditionally been seen as a pathway to a better life.
However, access to higher education remains a challenge for those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, exacerbating social inequality.

Globalisation and immigration have introduced new dynamics in the Italian education system.
Schools are tasked with integrating immigrant students and fostering intercultural dialogue while maintaining educational outcomes.
Policies, such as Intercultural Education and the introduction of Italian as a second language courses, reflect efforts to accommodate this changing reality.

The rise of technology has transformed how education is delivered, with a growing prevalence of online and blended learning experiences.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of technology, with the shift to remote learning exposing disparities in digital access and literacy.