Italy launches Paritarie Bonus to aid families choosing private schools

Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara signed an inter‑ministerial decree creating the “Paritarie Bonus”, a voucher of up to €1,500 per year for families whose ISEE is below €30,000 and who enroll children in lower secondary schools or the first two years of upper secondary education at paritarian (private) schools. The measure is intended to ease tuition costs and promote the constitutional right of freedom of educational choice.

The decree still requires the counter‑signature of Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti before it can become operational. Educational organisations and parent groups have welcomed the step, describing it as a “first important move” toward more equitable access to private schooling, while noting that further refinements and a permanent funding framework are needed.