CNDDU highlights challenges in Italian school inclusion and dropout rates

The National Coordination of Teachers of Human Rights (CNDDU) has highlighted critical challenges in the Italian education system regarding school inclusion and student dropout rates.

Regarding disability support, the CNDDU warns that educational continuity remains an unresolved issue. Despite an increase in support teachers and specialized staff, reports from ISTAT and the Council of Europe indicate ongoing vulnerabilities. Specifically, while the share of specialized teachers rose from 63% to 78% over five years, approximately 57,000 teachers still lack full specialization. The Council of Europe previously identified violations of the European Social Charter related to the precariousness and lack of specialization among support staff.

On the issue of school dropout rates, data shows significant progress. In the European Union, early school leaving among 18-to-24-year-olds fell from 11% in 2015 to 9.1% in 2025. Italy has also seen improvements, with the early dropout rate reaching 8.2% in 2025, and implicit dropout rates—students finishing school without adequate learning levels—dropping to 6.3% in 2026. The CNDDU emphasizes the need to evaluate which specific policies are driving these improvements to ensure long-term stability.