Italy implements major school reform and curriculum updates

Italy is implementing a significant reform of its educational system, focusing heavily on technical institutes and curriculum updates. The changes, stemming from initiatives during the Draghi and Meloni administrations, aim to align vocational training with Industry 4.0 requirements.

Technical institutes will adopt a new structure, including a 2+2+1 model for five-year courses and the experimentation of a 4+2 pathway, which combines four years of high school with two years of Higher Technical Institutes (ITS). The curriculum will shift toward competency-based learning, emphasizing laboratory activities and practical applications tailored to local industrial needs.

Broader curriculum changes are set to roll out gradually between the 2026-27 and 2030-31 school years. Primary school updates include the reintroduction of cursive writing, memorized poetry, and grammar. Middle schools may see the optional return of Latin, while high schools will integrate artificial intelligence into mathematics instruction. Additionally, new guidelines include emotional education and a more conceptual approach to computer science.