Italy's controversial school reform bills moves closer towards ratification, as it was approved in the Italian Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday and heads to the Senate for the next round of voting.
The 'Good School' reforms bill aims to overhaul the Italian primary and secondary school system with the implementation of measures including "super principals", 100,000 new hires, stronger English language curriculum, work-study programs, flexible class size and tax deductions.
Topping the list on the bill are school autonomy and new hiring procedures, measures that would give principals more power in hiring and choosing teachers, reducing class size and overseeing school administration such as finance and training. Teacher staff is to be increased by 8% . Additionally, the Good School will have a strengthened language component for both English language learning and Italian for non-native speakers, and will offer more elective coursework for high school students.
The House also approved the introduction of bonuses for teachers who perform well, to be assigned by school principals on the basis of criteria set out by an assessment committee, a 500 euro voucher per teacher for professional development and a 65% tax credit on donations towards school building or maintenance projects.
Earmarked in the budget is a work-study program for technical, professional and high schools that would give student dedicated professional experience in companies, and public and cultural institutions.
The Good School will create a single portal that publishes all relevant school information from budgets and education programs to teachers' CVs and assignments.
Earlier this month, unions called a nationwide strike in protest over the reform and have warned of further mobilization as the bill continues its passage through Parliament.
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