Cittadinanzattiva report warns of rising safety risks in Italian schools

Cittadinanzattiva has released its XXIV Report on school safety in Italy, highlighting critical infrastructure and environmental risks. The report notes that 68 structural collapses occurred between September 2025 and August 2026, primarily involving falling plaster or ceiling panels. Student injuries reported to Inail rose to 80,871 in 2025, a 3.8% increase from the previous year.

Environmental vulnerabilities are significant: 44% of schools are located in high seismic zones, 19% are in hydraulic hazard areas, and 5,113 buildings face landslide risks. Additionally, climate change poses a health threat, as only 7.4% of Italian schools are equipped with air conditioning or ventilation systems. The organization suggests an investment of 3 billion euros over three years is required to upgrade these facilities.

In separate regional news, Emilia-Romagna conducted a successful pilot program for early school openings. The 'Settembre Insieme' initiative involved over 8,000 children across 40 municipalities, providing free educational and recreational activities to bridge the gap between summer breaks and the official start of the school year. The region is considering making this program permanent and expanding its funding.