What if these walls could talk? Primary school Luciano Manara likely has some stories. This building in Milan is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a place of learning. It is a place where young minds grow. It is called Scuola Elementare Luciano Manara.
Since 1859 Italy has had a state school system. The Legge Casati made education a responsibility of the Italian state. Italian unification happened in 1861. The Casati Act made primary education compulsory. Its goal was to increase literacy. Towns controlled primary education. Provinces managed secondary education. The State ran the universities. Even with this law, many children did not attend school. This was especially true in rural and southern areas. It took over 70 years for 90% of children to enroll in primary education. The illiteracy rate was almost 80% in 1861. It took more than 50 years to cut it in half.
The Legge Gentile was another important law. It came in 1923 when Mussolini was in power. Giovanni Gentile created an education system for the fascist system. The compulsory age rose to 14 years. After five years of primary education, students had choices. They could choose Scuola media for access to liceo or avviamento al lavoro. Avviamento al lavoro was work training. It gave quick entry into the workforce. The reform enhanced the role of the Liceo Classico. It also created technical, commercial, and industrial institutes. It created the Liceo Scientifico. The Liceo Classico gave access to all higher education until 1968. Gentile considered Catholic religion the foundation of education. In 1962 avviamento al lavoro was abolished. All children until 14 had to follow a single program. It included scuola elementare and scuola media.
From 1962 to today, the structure of Italian primary education has remained. Some modifications have occurred. The gap between males and females narrowed. The structure of secondary school changed. New licei, istituti tecnici, and istituti professionali were created.
In 1999 the Italian university system switched systems. It aligned with the Bologna Process guidelines. The old system led to a 5-year Laurea degree. The new system split the Laurea into two tracks. There was a three-year Laurea triennale. It is like a Bachelor’s Degree. Then, there was a 2-year Laurea specialistica. It is like a Master’s Degree. It was renamed Laurea Magistrale in 2007. A credit system quantified the work needed for each course. It enhanced the possibility to change courses. It facilitated credit transfers for further studies. Erasmus Programme is an example of this. Now, there is a five-year degree “Laurea Magistrale a Ciclo Unico” for Law. There is a six-year degree for Medicine.
Today Scuola Elementare Luciano Manara continues to serve its community. It adapts to modern educational needs. It uses online resources. The school website allows access to various services. These services require personal authentication. Students can manage content and view circulars online. There is also access via Google Workspace.