School, Emilia Romagna revolutionises the school calendar

Emilia Romagna is studying a reform of the school calendar that provides for a teaching break between the end of the first and the beginning of the second term, postponing the end of lessons in June. The school calendar establishes more holiday periods spread throughout the year and a shorter summer break, aligning with the European model. For Regional School Councillor Isabella Conti, inserting a break in the middle will allow students and teachers to recharge their batteries. The proposal aims to introduce a break in classes in February to allow remedial activities for students in difficulty, in a context where there is "a 286% increase in anxiety-related disorders" among young people.

The region has announced a participatory approach to avoid the risk of 'failure' of unilaterally imposed reforms. An ad hoc commission will be set up in September to involve all stakeholders in listening tables, putting the welfare of students and teachers at the centre. "If we want to try to make changes, we must do so by holding everyone's hand," Isabella Conti emphasised, highlighting the need to take into account the concerns of the business world, particularly in the Romagna Riviera, and the structural difficulties of schools that were already very hot in June. The States General of Schools scheduled for the end of October will represent a further moment of confrontation with a large assembly dedicated to high school students.

The chairwoman of the regional legislative assembly's School Committee, Maria Costi, reiterated that 'only shared decisions will be taken', criticising 'alarmist statements' and recalling the region's competence in the matter. In fact, the region has the task of setting the dates for the start and end of lessons, making appeals to the minister of education and merit 'irrelevant'. The goal is to find the best school calendar to reconcile children's education, the proper functioning of the school, and the expectations of families, through a debate that will involve institutions, unions, the third sector, teachers, students, and parents.