Italy’s school unions say they are prepared to mobilize against staffing cuts included in the draft budget law. Their general secretaries are expected to meet in the coming hours to discuss possible joint action and demand that the government reconsider the measures.
The unions say the plan would eliminate almost 7,000 positions from September 2027, including about 5,000 teaching posts and 2,000 technical and administrative roles. Cisl Scuola secretary Ivana Barbacci called the cuts unacceptable and irresponsible, particularly in light of youth hardship. Gilda national coordinator Vito Carlo Castellana described them as the latest in a series of setbacks and also called for a change of direction.
Flc Cgil secretary Gianna Fracassi said the measures would further weaken public schools, arguing that around 14,000 positions had already been cut over the past three years. She also criticized the increase in resources for private schools while public education faces reductions. Flc Cgil is seeking the stabilization of more than 300,000 temporary workers and improved pay, and has already scheduled a strike with the CGIL for November 20.
Uil Scuola secretary Giuseppe D’Aprile said declining birth rates should not be used as a reason to reduce school staffing. In his view, fewer pupils should instead allow class sizes to be reduced, working conditions to improve and teaching quality to increase. He said the planned cuts would worsen difficulties in a system with more than 200,000 temporary workers.
The unions’ criticism comes as the Senate’s examination of the School decree is likely to slip by about a week. The Culture Committee has not completed its work: fewer than 100 of the 825 amendments submitted have so far been voted on, with opposition proposals rejected to date and other amendments subject to requests for reformulation.
Voting is scheduled to continue throughout the week. The decree includes, among other measures, a limit on the number of foreign pupils in classes and a ban on full-face veils. It must be converted into law by November 29, including a second reading in the Chamber of Deputies. If the timetable slips further, the measure could reach the Senate without a report from the committee, after which the government could seek a confidence vote.
Sources: ANSA Politica.