Education in Italy: The importance of access to education in Italian schools

The latest edition of the WeWorld Index Italia, our annual study on the quality of life of women and children in the country, shows progress in reducing educational poverty: the school dropout rate fell from 14.3% to 10.5% between 2018 and 2023.

However, structural and cultural challenges remain: lack of funds, underpaid teachers, often unsuitable schools and marked disparities between regions. The northern and central regions offer better educational conditions, while the south and islands face more pronounced difficulties, especially in terms of access to education and the necessary resources for children.

These differences do not only affect individual areas but constitute a real issue of social justice. Ensuring equal opportunities means bridging the gap between regions, investing in infrastructure and services, and promoting policies that overcome urban and social segregation, ensuring equal access to education, work and personal development for all.

Working with people, from the margins to the centre, we strive to guarantee the right to education, especially in the suburbs of our country, where economic and social conditions limit access to opportunities. With the Frequenza 200 project, we create safe and inclusive spaces, offering educational support, creative workshops, theatre, music and urban sports.

The Summer Plan 2025 integrates these activities during the summer holidays, ensuring that children and adolescents have opportunities for learning, socialising and recreation even outside the school year. At the same time, with the campaign “Ristudiamo il calendario” (Let's rethink the calendar), promoted together with Mammadimerda, the irreverent and ironic project on motherhood created by Sarah Malnerich and Francesca Fiore, we propose to reduce the length of the summer holidays and to guarantee periods of educational activities distributed throughout the year, in order to offer all families equal opportunities for learning and support.

With the Dentro le periferie Lab project, we have created a space where young people can narrate their own neighbourhoods, to convey the complexity of everyday life that goes beyond the stereotypical narrative.

Boys and girls aged between 12 and 18 from four suburbs of Milan - Barona, Giambellino, Ponte Lambro and San Siro - took part in workshops on photography, poster art and interviews, giving voice to the stories and relationships that truly define their suburbs. The project was carried out with the support of Fondazione Cariplo and the collaboration of local partners.

In the Spazi Donna WeWorld (WeWorld Women's Spaces) - places of listening and welcome for many women in situations of violence and difficulty - mothers and children find environments of listening and support. Specific attention is paid to the mother/child relationship and to the youngest children through a dedicated service. There is a childcare corner for boys and girls, entrusted to expert operators.

Childcare is a privileged observatory for understanding and bringing to light situations of intra-family violence, monitoring the behaviour of children.

Thanks to the work of the Study Centre, we produce surveys – often with first-hand data – to raise awareness of inclusive education and guide interventions aimed at reducing inequalities, linking local needs to concrete and sustainable strategies. An example of this is the report 'Diritti ai margini. Rimettere al centro il futuro di bambini/e e adolescenti delle periferie italiane" (Rights on the margins. Putting the future of children and adolescents in Italian suburbs back at the centre), which collects the emotions, fears and aspirations of young people between the ages of 8 and 19 in the suburbs of five Italian cities, and the WeWorld Index Italia, which annually analyses the quality of life and the level of protection of the rights of women and minors in all Italian regions, offering data and recommendations for more effective policies.

Sexual and emotional education is fundamental to the well-being and growth of children and adolescents. It includes biological, emotional, relational and social aspects, promoting respect, consent and gender equality.

In Italy, however, it remains fragmented and insufficient: few people receive accurate information at school, and the requirement for written consent from families limits access. Education means providing tools to learn about one's body, manage emotions and relationships, and prevent abuse. We intervene with workshops, educational courses and training tools, guaranteeing everyone the right to a comprehensive, inclusive and safe education.

Through the work of our Study Centre, we analyse the gaps in the Italian education system and their impact on the well-being of the younger generation. With the research “If schools don't talk to boys, who does?”, we highlight how rigid gender models and a lack of emotional education contribute to the discomfort and exclusion of many young people. With “Sexual and emotional education in Italian schools: a gap we can no longer afford”, we highlight the absence of structured courses on the body, relationships and consent, which exposes girls and boys to misinformation and risks. These two studies converge on one key point: without inclusive, scientific and accessible emotional and sexual education, there can be no truly equitable school system.

In schools, we promote global citizenship education, i.e. the ability to understand the connections between local and global challenges and to become responsible citizens. This approach enables students to become agents of change through courses that offer tools, workshops and spaces for discussion on human rights, gender equality and social justice.

The Gener-Azione 5 (Gener-Action 5) project fits into this context, supporting teachers and students in strengthening their knowledge and skills on gender equality and violence prevention, in line with Goal 5 of the 2030 Agenda.

Through the School of Skills project, on the other hand, we are rethinking teaching methods and school spaces to make the educational experience more engaging and inclusive, creating environments such as agoras, workshops and multifunctional spaces that encourage active learning and student participation.

Finally, with the Exponi le tue idee (Express your ideas) format, we stimulate dialogue and peer discussion on global issues, combining research, debate and teamwork to develop critical thinking, listening and active participation skills.