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4
Part One
Basic Knowledge of the Italian Educational System
www.
edises
.it
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Teacher training school, structured into lower and upper courses;
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Complementary school, of technical, commercial and agricultural specialisation,
later called vocational schools, for a period of three years.
After the Agreement of 1929, the
Catholic religion
became a school subject taught
in all non-university schools. Those who did not intend to follow this subject could be
exonerated upon request.
1.1.3
School in the Republican Constitution
With the approval of the Constitution, which came into force on 1st January 1948,
the fundamental principles on which the education system is based were identified
and set forth.
The articles that are more or less directly related to instruction are the following:
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Articles 2 and 3
set out the fundamental human rights, equality and equal dignity
of all citizens, the commitment of the Republic to remove obstacles to the full deve-
lopment of the human person;
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Article 7
constitutionalises the Lateran Treaty of 1929;
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Article 9
entrusts the Republic with the task of promoting the development of cul-
ture and scientific and technical research;
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Article 29
states the rights of the family as a natural society founded on marriage;
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Article 29
proclaims the duty and the right of parents to support, instruct and edu-
cate their children;
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Article 31
confers to the Republic the task to support families and protect materni-
ty, childhood and youth;
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Article 33
introduces the principle of freedom of education. Commits the Republic
to set down general education standards and establish state schools at all levels. It
gives the right to private entities to establish schools at no cost for the State;
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Article 34
affirms that the school is open to everyone. It establishes mandatory edu-
cation for at least eight years (later legislation has extended the period to ten years).
It sets the duty of the Republic to ensure that all worthy and capable citizens are
enabled to reach the highest levels of education, even if they lack financial means;
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Article 35
recognises the professional training of workers;
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Article 117
sets out the powers of the State and the Regions in terms of education
and vocational training. This article was amended in 2001 by Constitutional Law
no. 3.
1.1.4
The second half of the twentieth century
In 1962
, the Government established the single
compulsory lower secondary school
,
implementing Article 34 of the Constitution (compulsory attendance for a period of
8 years).
After the protests in 1968, the Enabling Act 477 of 1973 and the implementing de-
crees (
enabling decrees
):
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introduced the participation of families and students to school life;