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The Italian school system
School education in Italy is a public
service, granted by the State in the common interest, following
art. 34 of the Italian Constitution "School education is granted
to everybody".
School attendance is mandatory and free of charge from the age
of 6 till 15 (art. 34, sub 2 of the Italian Constitution "Primary
and junior secondary school for the duration of at least seven
years is mandatory and free of charge").
The school system is indeed mainly addressed to young people,
who are obliged to attend school for nine years (from age 6 to
15). Adults as well can benefit from going back to school to get
a certificate of education, learn a handicraft, improve culturally.
HOW TO ENROLL
FOREIGN MINORS IN AN ITALIAN PUBLIC SCHOOL
Both Italian and foreign young children
are obliged to attend school, even if the latter are not holders
of a permit of residence. They can and must attend school and
take part in the life of the school community. Parents are obliged
to enrol their children in a school and ensure they attend their
classes.
Especially shortly after they moved to Italy,
foreign children could face some difficulties because of their
insufficient knowledge of the Italian language or poor relationships
with schoolmates and teachers. Should this happen, the parents
can contact the school director or school manager, who in turn
can get assistance from specially trained teachers or social counsellors.
Lately some schools have started hiring special social and school
mediators, who can facilitate the integration of foreign pupils
in primary and junior secondary school.
Foreign pupils holding a permit of residence for Italy can also
attend upper secondary school, obtain certificates of education
and attend University.
The immigration law (art. 34, sub 21.0/1998) states that: "The
school community welcomes the language and culture differences
as an added value to enhance mutual respect, cultural exchange
and understanding. In this perspective initiatives aiming at protecting
the different cultures and languages of origin and the implementation
of intercultural activities are to be encouraged".
VALIDATION OF
CERTIFICATES OF EDUCATION
Foreign citizens having obtained a certificate
of education abroad can apply for their validation in Italy.
The procedure to obtain this validation is nonetheless lengthy
and differs depending on the kind of certification.
The starting point is always the hand over of the original certification
to the Italian Embassy or Consulate in the country where the certificate
was obtained. These institutions can verify the authenticity of
the certificate and assess the corresponding cultural level in
Italy (art. 48 of the implementation decree of the immigration
law DPR 394/1999).
This procedure is nonetheless so lengthy and complicated that
many foreigners prefer to re-enrol in an Italian school or University
in order to obtain a corresponding certification issued by an
Italian body. In the working world an Italian certificate of education
is very welcomed, since it also implies a good knowledge of the
Italian culture and language (both spoken and written).
SCHOOL TRAINING FOR ADULTS
Also adult citizens can have access to
school education.
Adults’ school was initially conceived to allow Italian
workers – for example farmers or workmen – who could
not attend school as young children.
Today this is an important tool for foreigners.
Adult training can be supplied either by the State of via private
schools. A list of the different options can be obtained from
the local school authorities such as Provveditorati agli Studi,
Regioni, Comuni or the school districts.
The courses normally have 1 year duration
The possible options normally cover:
The vocational training
aims at offering a vocational qualification and expertise to facilitate
access to the working market. The qualifications can relate to different
fields: sales, services, crafts etc.:
This training is organised by the Regioni, who issue a professional
training programme each year. The courses can be held:
- By the Regioni themselves by means
of the Vocational Training Centres;
- Private training centres in co-operation
with the Regioni.
These courses can be either:
- Regular courses: enrolment is possible
between 1st and 31st July of each year.
- special courses: they are financed by
the European Union and have specific deadlines.
Enrollment and attendance to those courses is normally free of charge,
although in some cases a small amount of money can be paid to the
students depending on the number of hours of attendance. For some
of the courses organised by private centres a fee can be charged
by the school.
Who can apply:
- Those having obtained a certificate
of education for junior or upper secondary school, holding a
master degree, junior degrees or university degrees
- Unemployed people
- Persons in search of employment
- Workers to attend special training to
improve their position
- Persons suffering from a social disadvantage
(ex prisoners, immigrants) or mentally or physically handicapped
Minimum requirements for enrolment are a good knowledge of the Italian
language, to have completed mandatory education and to be at least
15 years old.
FOREIGN CITIZENS HOLDING A VALID PERMIT OF RESIDENCE
Any foreign citizens coming other than
from the European Union and:
- Holding a valid permit of residence or
awaiting a renewal of their permit of residence and working for
hire or as self-employed or registered with an employment agency;
- lawfully living in Italy for family reasons,
political asylum or humanitarian asylum;
- awaiting for the finalisation of an adoption
procedure or to be allocated to a family;
- awaiting for the finalisation of the legal
procedure to become Italian nationals
are obliged to register with the SSN (Sistema
Sanitario Nazionale, National Health System).
Via this registration, foreign citizens obtain the same medical
rights and have the same obligations as the Italian nationals. Medical
coverage is granted to holders of permits of residence and to their
family dependants.
This registration can be carried out via the
ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale, local health agency) in the place
of residence or temporary home and is valid till expiration of the
permit of residence.
Those foreign citizens who are not obliged to register with the
SSN (holders of permits of residence for study reasons, tourism,
elective residence, religious reasons, business trips, missions,
etc.) have to be covered against risks of illness or accidents and
in the event of maternity by means of a private insurance valid
in Italy or by voluntarily registering with the SSN. In this latter
case, medical insurance also covers dependant children. This kind
of registration is valid for one year and does not renew itself
automatically.
All foreign citizens temporarily
residing in the Italian territory, although they do not hold a permit
of residence, are granted medical and hospital assistance in case
of emergency, and for basic medical assistance -including persistent
- in case of illness or accident. In any case the following medical
events are always covered:
- Pregnancy and maternity;
- Illness of a child;
- Vaccinations and international prevention
of diseases protocol;
- Prevention, diagnosis and treatment
of infectious diseases;
Should the concerned foreign citizen be
in need, the above-mentioned services are provided for free, with
the exception of those services for which the payment of a "ticket"
is foreseen. Needy persons have to fill in an sign an appropriate
form.
In order to benefit from medical assistance any illegal foreign
citizens need to obtain a special identification code called STP
(Straniero Temporaneamente Presente) which is valid on the whole
Italian territory. This code is anonymous and can be used for
medical purposes only. Illegal immigrants can have access to medical
assistance without this implying the police will be informed,
unless the accident or illness appears to be linked to a criminal
act. In that case the doctors are obliged to send a written report
to the relevant police office.
FOREIGN CITIZEN
HOLDING ENTRY VISA AND PERMIT OF RESIDENCE FOR MEDICAL REASONS
Those foreign citizens
willing to come to Italy to undergo medical treatments have to obtain
a prior permit of residence for medical reasons.
The certifications needed for this purpose are:
- A declaration from the chosen hospital
or medical centre (public or a private authorised hospital)
stating the kind of treatment needed and its estimated duration;
- A proof that an advance deposit of
at least 30% of the estimated total cost of the medical services
required have been paid to the medical centre
- A proof that both the person to be treated
and his/her accompanying person can afford room and board costs
also outside the medical centre as well as repatriations cost.
Katy
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