Education
Latest news and information on education, preschools, schools, colleges, and universities in Italy.
Italy braces for 'autumn of discontent' as students protest
Italy is preparing for a turbulent autumn following a spike in inflation because of energy prices, with students, teachers, truck drivers and farmers taking to the streets ahead of elections next year.
Italian results in maths, reading and science above average in new Pisa poll
Italy saw relatively positive student rankings in this year's OECD educational survey, while many other countries faced a sharp decline – but a large gap persists between Italian and non-Italian students.
'Very underfunded, very strict': What readers think of Italy's schools
International families may find Italian schools are very different to those back home - but are they better or worse? The Local asked readers to share their own experiences with schools in Italy.
Italy's schools push to delay start of term amid heatwave
The school year opens this week in many parts of Italy, but teachers and councils in some southern regions say the heat remains too intense for a return to the classroom.
'Dreams disappear' as Gaza students await evacuation to Italy
Dozens of Gaza students who won scholarships to universities in Italy are still waiting to be evacuated due to bureaucratic red tape, leaving qualified students in a deadly conflict zone, AFP has found.
EU-based British students to pay international fees in UK from 2028
The end of a Brexit 'grace period' on university fees in 2028 means that British passport holders living in the EU will no longer qualify for home fees and could pay three times as much.
Europe's Erasmus founder Sofia Corradi dies, aged 91
Sofia Corradi, the creator of the EU's Erasmus program which has sent millions of young people abroad throughout Europe to study, died in Rome aged 91, Italian media reported Saturday.
Why is Italy ranked among the worst at speaking English in Europe?
After Italy once again ranked among the worst in the EU when it comes to speaking English, The Local asks why the country is struggling so much with English language skills.
ChatGPT: What do international students need to know?
Love it or hate it, ChatGPT has fast become the topic you can’t ignore – and the implications for students are profound.
OPINION: Why Italians have a hard time learning English
Italy's poor rankings in international comparisons of English language skills don't come as a surprise to many in the country. Silvia Marchetti explains why Italian students are at a disadvantage and what must be done if the situation is to change.
'No Meloni': Why students across Italy are protesting on Friday
Some disruption was expected in central Rome, Milan and other Italian cities on Friday amid student protests against the new government's policies on education.
REVEALED: What studying in Italy is really like and what you should expect
If you're planning to study in Italy, there's a lot to consider. We asked international students about their experiences of everything from finding accommodation to navigating unusual exam methods.
Explained: What are Italy’s Covid rules for schools in September?
After Italy's education ministry confirmed Covid vaccination and mask mandates in schools will not be renewed by September, here's a look at the health precautions in place as school restarts.
Covid-19: Italy's unvaccinated teachers to return to class as rules ease
Teaching staff who refused to get vaccinated against Covid-19 will be allowed back to work in the new school year, Italy's education ministry has confirmed.
'It's their loss': Italian universities left off UK special study visa list
The UK is missing out by barring highly skilled Italian graduates from accessing a new work visa, Italy's universities minister said on Wednesday.
Italian class sizes set to shrink as population falls further
As Italy’s demographic crisis continues to worsen, a falling number of students in the country's schools is expected to mean smaller classes - but also fewer teaching staff and a lower education budget.
Ranked: Italy's best universities and how they compare worldwide
Italian universities featured more prominently than ever before in the latest set of prestigious international rankings. Here's a look at the country's top-rated institutions and how they stack up globally.
Are Italians really the 'worst in Europe' at speaking English?
Italy has ranked the worst in the EU for English language skills again, according to a new global survey. But why do Italians consistently come way down the league tables for foreign language proficiency? Here's a closer look at the data.
Physics Nobel belies Italy's scientific brain drain
Italian physicist Giorgio Parisi will receive a shared Nobel prize at a ceremony on Monday, but behind the celebrations is consternation at the brain-drain that for years has seen many young scientists leave to work abroad.
Finding English teachers in Italy now 'virtually impossible' after Brexit
Italy had long benefitted from a regular flow of English native speakers from the UK, but language schools are now struggling to recruit British teachers due to the effects of Brexit and Covid travel restrictions.
Reader question: Do international school teachers have to be vaccinated to work in Italy?
With the new school year approaching, teachers in Italy are wondering what Covid-19 requirements they'll need to meet when they return to class.
The 35 signs you'll never be truly fluent in Italian
You may have lived here for years, read the textbooks, gone to the classes, even survived an Italian dinner party... but do you ever get the sinking feeling you'll never be truly bilingual?
Italy set to make Covid ‘green pass’ obligatory for school staff and university students
The Italian government is meeting on Thursday afternoon to make a final decision on plans to make its health passport compulsory for school and university staff and older students.