Italian education policy and school regulation updates

Italian Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara has introduced new regulations to manage student workloads and school communications. Initial measures focused on stricter rules for homework and assessments, requiring that assignments be recorded in physical diaries and that schools avoid scheduling multiple tests on the same day to allow for effective preparation.

Subsequent guidelines expanded these efforts by institutionalizing a ‘right to disconnect,’ which limits electronic register notifications during evenings and holidays to reduce tension between schools and families. Furthermore, the Ministry established new civic education requirements (DM 183/2024), mandating at least 33 annual hours per class. This curriculum covers the Constitution, economic development, sustainability, and digital citizenship, including topics such as artificial intelligence and cyberbullying.

Recent scrutiny from the Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante Privacy) has identified critical data protection issues within the school system. In its 2024 report, the Authority highlighted concerns regarding the improper use of health data, a lack of transparency, and the misuse of electronic registers. Specific instances were noted where schools published sensitive personnel information or shared identifiable student data, such as names and initials, in communications regarding inclusion workgroups without a proper legal basis. These privacy concerns coincide with the ongoing implementation of the DM 183/2024 civic education framework, which emphasizes the importance of digital literacy, ethical internet use, and privacy awareness.