Italy’s schools reopen for 8 million students
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Approximately 8 million students returned to school across Italy, with openings staggered between September 7th and 17th depending on the region.
Lessons began in Bolzano on September 7th, followed by several other regions including Veneto and Valle d'Aosta. The reopening occurred despite recent heat waves that prompted some local officials to delay the start of classes in their municipalities.
The Italian Ministry of Education ensured all teaching positions were filled before the new school year, hiring 37,430 teachers for standard positions, support roles, and religious education. They also secured nearly 118,000 substitute teachers, with an increase of almost 10,000 support positions compared to the previous year. Additionally, 342 school principals and 12,284 administrative staff members were newly appointed. President Sergio Mattarella and Minister of Education Giuseppe Valditara officially inaugurated the school year on September 21st in Amatrice.
They chose the town to mark the tenth anniversary of the devastating 2016 earthquake, highlighting the school as a key element in the town’s ongoing reconstruction, which now has a population of around 1,200 people, less than half of what it was before the disaster. The Ministry also launched new national curriculum guidelines and a 200 million euro plan to integrate artificial intelligence into education, including teacher training and student safety measures.
