Page 4 - ulm-infobook-italy

ITALY - (IT)
Childhood Education: This level is for children from 3 to 6 years and
is not compulsory. Parents are free to choose the school they wish to
send their children to. Curriculum is organized around the development
of five different fields of experience: the self and others; body and
movement; images, sounds and colours; speech and words; knowledge
of the world.

Educational activities take place for a total of 35 weeks, according to
the specific school calendar established at regional level.

Primary Education: This level is for students from 6 to 11 years. The
attendance is compulsory. Age is the main criterion for enrolment.
Children are gathered into classes by same age.

Curriculum is defined through national guidelines issued by the Ministry
of Education. The main subjects are: Italian, English, history, geography,
art, Catholic religious education (optional), mathematics, science,
technology, music and sports. School year is divided into three-month
or four-month terms, as established by each school. At the end of
the fifth-year children obtain a certificate to pass to the secondary
education level. Final examinations are not required.

Lower Secondary Education: For students from 11 to 14 years. The
attendance is mandatory. In order to enrol the student, parents have to
present the certificate of the primary school.

The subjects are: Italian, English, a second foreign language, history,
geography, citizenship and constitution, Catholic religious education
(optional), mathematics, science, technology, music, arts and sports.

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