Organization of the education system in Italy

1. Organization of the education system in Italy Mariolina Bono

2. Pre-primary education Pre-primary education is organized at scuoladell'infanzia, it lasts 3 years and it is addressed to children from 3 to 6 years of age. The scuola dell'infanzia is part of the education and training system, yet it is not compulsory. Mariolina Bono

3. Primary education Primary school lasts five years, from 6 to 11 years, and is subdivided into a first year linked up to the scuola dell'infanzia, and two two-year periods. Mariolina Bono

4. Secondary education Secondary education has divided into two different levels. • The lower secondary level (scuola secondaria di primo grado), lasting 3 years (from 11 to 14 years of age). Together with the primary school, it makes up the first cycle of education, which lasts 8 years. • Upper secondary education is offered by the licei, in the technical institutes and in the vocational institutes. Mariolina Bono

5. Both in the licei and in the technical institutes, the overall length of study is 5 years (from 14 to 19 years of age). Vocational institutes offer courses lasting either 3 or 5 years. Mariolina Bono

6. Teachers and education staff Teachers of state schools can be distinguished as follows: • teachers of scuola dell'infanzia; • teachers of first-cycle schools: primary schools; • teachers of first cycle schools: lower secondary schools; • teachers of upper secondary schools; • teachers of Catholic religion in scuole dell'infanzia, primary and secondary schools. Mariolina Bono