Italian school system academic and infrastructure status

Italian high school students are entering a period of remedial assessments, often called ‘repair exams’, to address academic requirements from the previous year. Approximately 17.7% of students are undergoing these evaluations. While a single failing grade can lead to repeating a year, data shows that over 90% of these students successfully pass, with only about 8% facing definitive failure.

Under current regulations, such as DPR 135/2025, the class council suspends final judgments rather than issuing immediate failures. The council reviews a student’s entire academic progress during an integrated scrutiny session to determine promotion or repetition.

The transition back to school is frequently accompanied by significant stress and anxiety. Research, including a MINDex 2026 study, has highlighted concerns regarding student mental wellbeing and a perceived lack of focus on emotional and affective education within schools.

While infrastructure improvements in computer labs and cafeterias have been supported by PNRR funding, significant regional disparities remain. Northern regions like Valle d’Aosta report higher access to facilities, such as cafeterias in 80% of schools, compared to southern regions like Campania and Sicily, where those figures are 22.5% and 17.1%, respectively.