Italy education system faces legal and economic challenges

Recent developments in the Italian education sector have highlighted significant challenges regarding student rights and teacher compensation. A ruling by the TAR Puglia (sentenza n. 1014/2026) concerning a student with Special Educational Needs (BES) has raised questions about the responsibility of examination commissions. The case examines the balance between a commission's discretion and the obligation to ensure examination procedures are consistent with a student's documented educational path and the use of compensatory tools.

Simultaneously, reports from Eurydice and the OECD Education at a Glance 2026 indicate growing economic disparities within the school system. Data shows that Italian secondary school teachers earn, on average, 33% less than other workers with tertiary education, a gap that increases to 36% for early childhood educators. This wage gap has led to the emergence of a class described as the ‘new poor of knowledge,’ where highly qualified professionals face economic instability and are often forced into internal migration to secure employment.