Italian teachers' union Anief pushes for permanent online school meetings

Anief president Marcello Pacifico urged the Ministry of Education and Merit to formally approve the continued use of online meetings for school collegial bodies, such as class councils and teacher boards. The union argues that the digital format, already permitted under the 2019‑2021 national collective agreement and used during the Covid‑19 pandemic, saves teachers’ travel time, reduces environmental impact, and facilitates participation of families.

Anief seeks clear technical and legal guidelines from the ministry on three key aspects: authentication of participants, confidentiality of secret ballots, and traceability of decisions. The union stresses that without a ministerial decree or circular, individual schools are left to devise their own procedures, creating uncertainty and possible legal challenges.

The call emphasizes that online meetings are not a new innovation but a restoration of a practice proven effective during the pandemic, and that a formal regulatory framework would allow schools to adopt the mode permanently and uniformly across Italy.