Italian teacher labor disputes and student protests

At the start of the 2026 school year, Italian educators began calling for improved economic and professional recognition. Critics, including school founder Eraldo Affinati, noted that teacher salaries are perceived as low compared to other European Union colleagues and argued that government interventions have been temporary rather than structural.

By October, the movement evolved into active protests regarding working conditions. In regions such as Bolzano and Trento, teachers associated with groups like ‘Gruppo Dignità Istruzione Docenti’ and the CNDDU began refusing to organize school field trips and extracurricular activities to target excessive bureaucracy and unpaid overtime. Labor unions, including Gilda degli Insegnanti, have suggested these issues reflect a systemic national problem characterized by a culture of ‘unpaid volunteerism’.

Parallel to teacher protests, student occupations and demonstrations have emerged. While earlier actions focused on building maintenance, the Rete degli Studenti Medi has expanded calls for demonstrations across various cities. National Coordinator Angela Verdecchia stated that students are seeking ‘dignified school environments and more resources for education rather than political decrees.’

Recent demonstrations have intensified across major cities, including Turin, Milan, Genoa, Bologna, and Bari. Protesters are demanding urgent structural investments in school infrastructure and more affordable public transportation. In Puglia, the Cgil union noted that rising rents in cities like Bari and Lecce—driven by short-term tourist rentals—are forcing students to choose between financial hardship or abandoning their studies. Students continue to argue that the high cost of textbooks, materials, and housing is turning the right to education into a privilege.