THEThe Italian school system is going through a phase of profound renewal. In a journey of reform of school curricula already well underwaya new perspective is now also inserted, destined to change the identity of high school: overcoming the historical separation between high schools and technical institutes. The idea promoted by Ministry of Education and Meritled by Giuseppe Valditara, for now only in the form of a programmatic announcement, is to guarantee equal dignity to every pathideally unifying the entire panorama of secondary school under the name of “high school”.
School reform, stop the distinction between high schools and technical institutes
This transformation moves on parallel tracks. On the one hand there are the reforms that have already come to fruition, like the 4+2 model: an experimental path that allows you to obtain a technical diploma in four years and then directly access the two-year specialization course at higher technological institutes, the channels of tertiary training parallel to university. On the other hand, the debut of the made in Italy high school which testifies to the desire to merge humanistic culture and managerial skills. The intention of extend the name “high school” also to technical and professional addresses stands as the final goal of this processwith the aim of eliminating the social prejudice that often divides schools into series A and series B paths.
The revision of programs: the end of geohistory and the advent of AI
Unlike the unification of names, the revision of the teaching contents is already at an operational stage. The Ministry has in fact already drawn up and distributed the official texts of the new national guidelines for high schools, starting the consultation process with the student councils and the technical bodies. Among the most significant innovations for the first two years, there is the overcoming of geohistorythe integrated teaching introduced by previous reforms.
History and geography return to being distinct disciplineswith its own manuals and methodologies, in an attempt to restore each one to its scientific specificity. The historical narrative progressively opens up to new global scenariosincluding the Chinese turning point and the new geopolitical balances, while maintaining a strong centrality on the legacy of the West and Italy.
The Italian school is changing its skin: the project of a universal high school is accompanied by a profound revision of what students will study from next year. (Getty Images)
Artificial intelligence and the new digital challenge
Technological innovation also makes its official entry into school curricula, but with a critical approach, inserting itself into the process of listening to the school community before final approval. Artificial Intelligence is being introduced not only as a technical toolbut as an object of philosophical and mathematical investigation. Students will be asked to question these systems, recognize their limits and protect their intellectual freedom in the face of automation.
Even on the classic routes, the use of generative AI is envisaged as a support for the study of ancient languages and literature. In fact, the Ministry recognizes that, in the era of chatbots, assigning classic analysis sheets or summaries at home has become useless, since software can generate them in a few moments. Teaching therefore shifts towards direct discussion in the classroom, stimulating children’s ability to discuss, reason and argue their ideas verbally.
Literature and history, new horizons
The renewal of the programs, currently being examined by experts, it also brings with it a reorganization of the classics and civil themes. The reading of The Betrothed is postponed beyond the two-year period, for example, while in epic readings the Koran will accompany the Bible to offer a broader perspective on the roots of civilizations. On the contemporary history front, the program goes as far as the great events of the end of the 20th century, such as the Chernobyl disaster, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the birth of the euro.
The absences that cause discussion
However, important shortcomings were observed in the ministerial documentswhich have already raised several reflections: if on the one hand, in fact, themes such as conscious reproduction and health prevention are explored in depth, on the other hand it has been noted the absence of explicit references to the fight against the mafias or to the persecution of minority groups such as Roma and disabled people. The definitive text of the new indications will therefore have to deal with these observations in the final step of the legislative process. The challenge will be to define an educational model that combines technological efficiency with a complete and shared historical memory.