Puglia faces delayed child education vouchers amid demographic decline

Fratelli d'Italia MP Massimo De Leonardis criticised the regional officials Michele Decaro and Vincenzo Miglietta for failing to issue the public notice for the 0‑3‑year educational vouchers for the 2026/27 school year. The delay means that no children in Puglia will be able to enrol in accredited early‑childhood services from 1 September 2026, with contracts for providers not expected until November 2026. Funding for the programme has been reduced and the regional council estimates that only about 80 % of the applications will be covered.

The postponement affects roughly 14 000 families and about 500 accredited service operators that employ around 7 000 workers (95 % women) across the region. De Leonardis called the silence of Decaro and Miglietta “the blockage of the educational vouchers” and urged immediate explanations, warning of serious occupational and familial repercussions if the issue is not resolved.