Italy introduces new 2026 National Curriculum guidelines for schools

New National Curriculum guidelines for the 2026/2027 school year in Italy are set to redefine educational approaches from preschool through lower secondary school. The guidelines emphasize a shift toward competency-based learning, with a strategic focus on STEM, digital skills, and the role of artificial intelligence.

A key component of the new framework is the promotion of reading. The guidelines recommend that primary school students read at least two short books per year, while lower secondary students should read three. Educators are encouraged to move away from traditional testing and repetitive worksheets, which may hinder the pleasure of reading, in favor of activities that foster debate, creative re-elaboration, and critical thinking.

School leaders and teachers face the challenge of translating these high-level principles into concrete classroom practices. The curriculum is intended to be the heart of school autonomy, requiring a deep revision of institutional planning to ensure coherence across disciplines and avoid fragmented learning experiences.