06 - EDUCATION

Contents

1. Institutions, enterprises and synthesis data on education

2. Nursery school, primary school and lower secondary school

3. Senior secondary school

4. Statistics on university education

5. Higher education in art and music

6. Professional outcomes of school leavers and graduates

7. Culture

8. Leisure time and cultural events

9. Sports

 

1. Institutions, enterprises and synthesis data on education

The reform of the education system

The Italian education system is undergoing in-depth reforms that concern all types of schools.

A first reform was defined between 2003 and 2005. It concerned the first cycle of education (primary school and lower secondary school) and was gradually implemented in the subsequent years.

A second reform, which concerned upper secondary school, was defined between 2005 and 2007. The criteria for its implementation were defined more recently, with laws 133/2008, art. 64 and  169/2008.

The reforms are described in a more detailed way in the subsequent paragraphs, in the section relating to the of school cycle concerned.

Classification of schools

Italian schools are classified as follows:

• State school: is the school administered by the State.
• Non-state school: is intended as a school that is not administered by the State. Non-state schools can be:
  • Public non-state school: administered and by the Municipality, the Province, or the region. It can be either officially recognised or non recognised.
  • Private non-state school: administered by private entities, religious or lay.

The public school comprises the state school and the public non-state school.

• Officially recognised schools: are non-state schools (public or private) that meet the requirements of the education system and are authorised by the Ministry of Education to grant official educational qualifications.

 

Statistical data

Data on enrolment and schools are derived from surveys that the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) conducts at the beginning of every school-year. These surveys cover all types of schools (state and non-state). Schools in prisons and in hospitals are excluded (except for school-year 2004/05).

For statistical purposes, schools are units that provide homogeneous types of education. The following categories are analysis separately::

• nursery schools;
• primary school;
• lower secondary and upper secondary schools;
• separate sections of lower secondary and upper secondary schools;
• different types of schools within a same upper secondary school.

Is underlined that upper secondary schools specialising in foreign languages are present only in non-state schools.

Data relating to school personnel are also provided by the Ministry of Education (MIUR), bud derive from administrative archives and not from specific surveys. Personnel is classified as follows:

• School managers
• Teaching staff: can be either permanent (open ended contract) or temporary (fixed-term contract).
• Educational staff: participate in the education and teaching in children’s homes.
• Administrative and technical auxiliary staff (ATA): be either permanent (open ended contract) or temporary (fixed-term contract).

 

2. Nursery school, primary school and lower secondary school

All data in this section are provided by the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR).

Nursery school

In Italy nursery school is open to all children, Italian and foreign, aged between three and five years. It has a duration of three years and is not compulsory.

Also children whose third birthday falls before 30 April of the school year of reference can enrol in nursery school, under the following conditions:

a) that there are enough places;

b) that there are no children in waiting lists;

c) that the school premises have the characteristics and structure to meet the needs of children aged under 3 years;

d) that the team of teachers evaluates, from an educational point of view, the modalities and time necessary for the children’s adaptation.

 

Primary school and lower secondary school (first cycle)

In Italy enrolment in primary school is compulsory for all 5-year old children, Italian and foreigners,  whose sixth birthday falls before 31 December of the reference year.  Enrolment is optional the sixth birthday falls between 31 December of the reference year and 30 April of the subsequent year.

Also enrolment  in lower secondary school is compulsory for all pupils, Italian and foreigners, who have completed primary school.

After lower secondary school all students take a State examination, which gives access to the senior secondary school.

 

3. Senior secondary school

Enrolment in senior secondary school is compulsory, and takes place at the age of 14.

The reform of the Senior Secondary School starts with the first classes of school year 2010-2011, with the launching of the new high schools, the new technical institutes, and the new vocational institutes.

The reform foresees six high-school specialisations:

• Arts
• Classic
• Scientific
• Human sciences (focuses on teaching, psychology, anthropology, history)
• Music and dancing
• Foreign languages

The duration of high school courses if 5 years. At the end of the last year, after passing a state examination, students are awarded the diploma, which enables to access university.

Only for high schools specialising in arts the education cycles lasts four years. Students from these high schools who intend to enrol in University must attend a further year.

Following the reform, technical institutes are classified according to two main “sectors” of education: economic and technological. There are, on the whole 11 specialisations, as follows:

Economic sector (two specialisations)

• Administration, finance and marketing;
• Tourism.

Technological sector (nine specialisations):

• Mechanics, mechatronics and energy;
• Transport and logistics;
• Electronics and electricity
• IT and telecommunications;
• Graphics and communication;
• Chemistry, materials, biotechnology;
• Fashion system;
• Agriculture, agri-food, food industry;
• Construction, environment, territory.

 

The duration of the courses if 5 years (two years + two years + one year). At the end of the fifth year, after passing a state examination, students are awarded the diploma, which enables to access university.

The reform also reorganised the vocational education system: two main sectors were created, for a total of six specialisations:

Service sector:

• Services for agriculture and rural development;
• Social and health services;
• Gastronomy and hotel services;
• Commercial services.

Industry and handicrafts services:

• Industrial and handicraft productions;
• Maintenance and technical assistance services.

The duration of the courses if 5 years (two years + two years + one year).

 

4. Statistics on university education

The reforms of the university system

During the past ten years the university system underwent two reforms:

The first reform was launched in 1999 (laws n. 127/97 and n. 4/99) and defined two levels of university education:

• Three-year degree (three-year courses): correspond to a 1st level degree;
• Specialised degree (two-year courses): correspond to a 2nd level degree, after the 1st level one. There are also some specialised courses with  single cycles of 4, 5, or 6 years.

The second reform started with the 2008-09 academic year and will be concluded in 2011. It indicates the current structure of the university system: the levels are still two, but their names change.

• the 1st level (three-year) degree is now called only “graduation” (or degree);
• the specialised degree is now called “magistrale”, and can be obtained, as before, after completion of a 2-year course after the 3-year one.

There are still some specialised courses with  single cycles of 4, 5, or 6 years:

• Medicine and surgery (6 years)
• Dentistry (5 years)
• Veterinary medicine (5 years)
• Pharmacy and industrial pharmacy (5 years)
• Architecture (5 years)
• Civil engineering (5 years)
• Law (5 years)
• Primary education science (4 years)

 

The university reform concerns also post-graduate education: enrolment in 1-year post-graduate master courses, of 1st and 2nd level, is possible after obtaining, respectively, the 1st level and 2nd level (magistrale) university degrees. Research doctorates have a duration of three years and enrolment is possible after obtaining the 2nd level (magistrale) degree.

Some occupations (doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc.), can be performed only after attending, after the “magistrale” degree,  the relevant specialisation course (1-2 years) and passing the State examination.

 

Statistics on university education

Statistics on university education are produced by the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR).

They refer to students enrolled for the first time, students enrolled in first year, and total students enrolled.

Students enrolled for the first timecomprise students who student who have just obtained the secondary school diploma (Italian or equivalent), graduated in foreign universities, students transferred from a foreign university to an Italian one. Students who had enrolled for the first time in former years but abandoned the curse and re-enrolled in a different course (or in a different university) are excluded. These students fall in the category “enrolled in first year”).

Student enrolled in the first yearcomprise:

For three-year courses and 4 or 5 or 6 single cycle courses:

- Students enrolled for the first time,

- Students who had enrolled for the first time in former years but abandoned the curse and re-enrolled in the first year a different course (or in a different university),

For 2nd level courses:

- graduates from 1st level courses (or form the old system of from foreign universities) enrolled in the first year of the 2nd level course.

Total students enrolled comprise all students that are enrolled in a given university, regardless of the year of enrolment.

 

5. Higher education in art and music

Higher Education in Art and Music (AFAM) is part of the Italian higher education system. It includes:

• Fine Arts Academies

• Music Conservatories and Recognized Music Institutes

• Higher Institutes for Applied Arts

• National Academy of Dance

• National Academy of Drama.

On a yearly basis the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) conducts a survey on these institutions, with the aim to obtain information on enrolment, on the situation of students (exams taken and passed), on the staff (teaching and non-teaching).

 

6. Professional outcomes of school leavers and graduates

Istat collects information on  the professional outcomes of persons holding an upper secondary school diploma and of persons holding university degree through two specific surveys that are conducted every three years.

The last surveys were conducted in 2007 and concerned the outcomes of those persons who were awarded a diploma or a university degree in 2004

The survey on university graduates enabled, for the first time, to analyse the transition from university to the labour market of graduates from the “long” courses (4-6 years, specialised or single cycle) and from the “short” courses (3 years).

The universe was made up of 260,070 graduates, of whom 167,886 from “long” courses and 92,184 from 3-year courses. The survey was conducted via CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing); the interviews covered a total of 47,300 graduates (26,570 from the “long” courses and 20,730 from the 3-year courses).

The survey on upper secondary school diploma holders enabled to have information either on the labour market outcomes of the school leavers (for those who start working after secondary school is completed) or on the type of university chosen (for those who enrol in university after secondary school).

The survey was conducted via CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) on a sample of around  40,000 diploma holders.

 

7. Culture

Data on book production of source Istat

Since 1951 Istat collects data on book production, in terms of quantity and characteristics, through a specific survey. The survey covers all publishing houses and entities that carry out publishing activities. The universe of reference is made up of 3,200 survey units that are registered in a constantly updated archive.

According to the provisions set by Unesco for the harmonisation, at the international level, of statistics on publishing activity, the survey covers all non-periodic printed publications and  having at least 5 pages, excluding those printed by the publisher on behalf of third parties.

The data are collected through a questionnaire (paper or electronic) where the respondent describes the main characteristics of each work published during the reference year.

The data undergo several quality checks, both manual and automatic. The manual checks are qualitative, and in case of anomalous or missing information the publisher is contact in order to provided the corrections.

 

Data provided by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage

The Statistics office of Ministry of Cultural Heritage is part of SISTAN (National Statistics System) and, in the framework of the National Statistics Programme, conducts several surveys, among which:

The survey on State Archives

This survey covers all 99 State Archives and their 35 sections as well as the Central State Archive, which is located in Rome.

The staff employed in the Archives refers to 31 December of the reference year. It includes all permanent employees of the archives and employees of other institutions but who actually work in the archives. It excludes employees of the archives that work in other institutions.

Users and researches made comprise private persons, administrations, and entities.

The area of the archives comprises: the area of the main rooms, the area of the rooms that provide additional services, and the area of other rooms, if any. Areas of rooms that are not in sue are excluded.

The material on paper is measured in pieces.

Photography include slides, negatives, microfilms, le microfiches. Audiovisual material include supplementary copies and security ones. Microfilms are measured in spools.

 

The survey on Visitors and Revenue of State Museums, Monuments and Archaeological Areas

The basis for information on visitors and revenue of state museums, monuments and archaeological areas is the monthly data input in the information system of the Ministry by the territorial superintendence.

Museums, monuments and archaeological areas can be free of charge (without ticket) or charged (ticket issued for the entrance). Entrance  free of charge is reserved to persons aged under 18 years and over 65, as well as to persons belonging to the categories listed in Decree 239 of 20/04/2006.

Revenues generally include the amount that is destined to the ticketing service, when present.

Data relating to institutes charging for the entrance are derived from the number of tickets issued. Data for institutes where the entrance if free of charge are either estimated, or derived from a register of presences, or derived from turnstile.

The statistical units are all the museum institutes that can be visited. Of these, some are closed during the entire reference period, due to restoration activities of to the lack of personnel.

As a rule, aggregated data (by region, province or year) comprise only those museums that are open.

 

The survey on State public libraries

The statistical units of this survey are all State public libraries listed in D.P.R.5/7/1995, n. 417.

The main information collected through this survey refers to the quantities of books, the consultations, the loans, and the staff.

The item “current periodicals” refers to the periodicals current during the reference year; each title may include one or more volumes. The item “graphic material” includes music printings, maps and photos. The item “copies and micro copies made by the libraries” includes slides, print-outs from microfilms, and photos made for users and for protection purposes. The item “works lent to other libraries” includes the material lent to international libraries.

Data on personnel refer to 31 December of the reference year. They include all permanent employees of the libraries  and employees of other institutions but who actually work in the libraries. It excludes employees of the libraries that work in other institutions.

The “management expenditure” is expressed in euro and includes running and maintenance expenses, purchases, protection of the bibliographic material, additional compensation of employees, and general expenses (telephone, mail. etc.)

 

Data provided by Regione Lombardia

This section contains a set of statistics on libraries present in Lombardy, provided by the General Directorate for Culture of Regione Lombardia.

Through the register of municipal libraries, and in co-operation with the provinces and with the libraries, Regione Lombardia collects information on the 1,300 public libraries that operate in the region.

The information does not consider around 800 other libraries owned by other parties.

 

8. Leisure time and cultural events

Data presented in this section of the yearbook are released by Istat, and are based on information provided by SIAE (Italian society of authors and publishers).

The main indicators of cultural activity are: number of events, number of tickets sold, number of persons attending, participants, box office results, audience expenditure,  turnover.

Number of events: includes all events and performances. With regard to cinema activities, a system to survey the events is being improved, so as to single out each show during the day..

Tickets sold: include subscriptions

Persons attending: refers to the number of persons in the audience of events free of charge for which no ticket is issued.

Participants: correspond to tickets sold plus persons attending.

Box office results: corresponds to the total amount spent by the audience to purchase the tickets.

Audience expenditure: includes, in addition to the expenditure at the box office, all other  amounts spent by the audience in relation to the show: bar, pre-sale rights, cloakroom, reservations, etc.

Turnover:corresponds to the total revenue deriving from the event. It includes, in addition to the audience expenditure, sponsorships, contributions against publicity, etc.

 

9. Sports

The main data on the sports sector refer to:

• sports societies and clubs, operators and members, for a set of selected sport categories;
• sport activities practiced by the population.
• expenditure to attend sport events

Data on sports societies and clubs, operators and members, for a set of selected sport categories are provided by CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee), which since 1981 monitors the situation of the Italian sports societies. The monitoring activity is conducted every two years.

Information on sport activities practiced by the population are instead collected by Istat, through the multi-purpose survey on households “Aspects of daily life”, which is conducted every year.

Information on the expenditure of the audience on sport events is provided by SIAE (Italian society of authors and publishers).