In a significant milestone for educational freedom in Italy, representatives of the homeschooling community were welcomed at the Ministry of Education in Rome on February 27th, 2025. The meeting with Minister of Education Giuseppe Valditara focused on the challenges faced by families educating their children outside the traditional school system. Leading the discussion was Erika Di Martino, founder of the Libera Schola Foundation and one of Italy’s foremost home education advocates. A mother of five homeschooled children—her eldest now at university—Di Martino brings both personal experience and national leadership to the movement. Over 15 years, she has built a support network for homeschooling families, organizing conferences, publishing educational resources, and connecting parents through digital platforms. She also serves as a European board member for the Global Home Education Exchange, an international network promoting and connecting the global home education community. Among the key issues discussed were the challenges families face with state schools, which often remain resistant to homeschooling. Families may feel pressured to alter their educational plans, face bureaucratic hurdles, or encounter institutional bias. These obstacles complicate what is supposed to be a legally protected educational path. In Italy, homeschooling is legal, but children must pass yearly exams administered by state- recognized schools. Public institutions, often unfamiliar with homeschooling, may be dismissive or antagonistic toward these students. As a result, many families turn to scuole paritarie—private schools with state accreditation that are more respectful of homeschooling. However, these come at a cost, placing a financial strain on families seeking fair treatment. Libera Schola’s proposed solution is to create its own paritaria school—a national center dedicated to organizing impartial and respectful exams for homeschooled students. This would be the first institution of its kind in Italy, designed to uphold both academic standards and the dignity of families pursuing alternative education. Minister Valditara responded to the proposal with openness and a willingness to engage further with the homeschooling community. As Libera Schola advances its plan, the Foundation is seeking international support—particularly from the United States, where home education is more established and widely respected. Donations will help fund the creation of the exam center and support legal, administrative, and educational needs. More than testing procedures are at stake—it is about affirming the right of families to raise and educate their children with integrity and freedom, in keeping with Italy’s tradition of independent thought. To learn more or contribute, visit the link
Nuove Indicazioni 2025 Scuola dell’infanzia e Primo ciclo di istruzione Materiali per il dibattito pubblico Le Nuove Indicazioni 2025 per la scuola dell'infanzia e il primo ciclo di istruzione rappresentano un aggiornamento significativo rispetto al documento del 2012 (DM 254/2012) . Questo testo, sviluppato da una commissione di esperti, tiene conto dell'evoluzione della società, delle nuove sfide educative e delle competenze richieste per il futuro. L’obiettivo principale è quello di creare un curriculum più moderno , che equilibri tradizione e innovazione, con un focus su competenze linguistiche, STEM, educazione civica e uso critico delle tecnologie. Le Nuove Indicazioni 2025 mostrano un’evoluzione interessante del sistema educativo italiano, con aspetti che potrebbero avvicinarsi ad alcuni principi dell’ homeschooling , come la personalizzazione e l’attenzione al pensiero critico. Tuttavia, ci sono anche alcuni aspetti che potrebbero preoccupare chi sceglie l’istruzione parentale, in particolare: Possibile aumento del controllo e della standardizzazione Rischio di rendere i test di valutazione più rigidi Introduzione di contenuti o strumenti non in linea con i metodi educativi delle famiglie Per chi pratica homeschooling, sarà quindi importante monitorare come questi cambiamenti verranno applicati nella realtà , e se verranno lasciati margini di flessibilità per chi sceglie percorsi educativi alternativi .
