Network offers experiential workshops, after-school courses and educational supports for families

(MissionNewswire) September marked the return to school in Italy. With the arrival of the new term, Salesians for Social, a network in the country committed to welcoming, educating and protecting vulnerable youth, launched a survey to investigate Italian students’ opinions of the value of their education. The organization reports that while a healthy percentage of respondents consider school important, a significant percentage do not.

Specifically, 84% of Italian students consider school important for their future and more than half say they would like to go. Conversely, almost 1 in 4 disagree. Nearly 14% think it would be better to interrupt their studies, while a further 15% are not fully convinced they should continue.

The survey also found that 1 in 4 students feel very or fairly strongly that they are excluded from the activities offered at school.

Salesians for Social works to ensure that youth have the supports to remain in school. The organization researches the well-being of youth in school environments in order to be better able to provide support to those who live in difficult situations. Salesians for Social does this through projects specifically designed to improve students’ lives.

The need for such projects is high as Italy and Europe continue to wrestle with significant drop-out rates. While the rate in Italy is decreasing, it is at 10.5% as of 2023 and well above the EU average of 9.5%. Both Italy and the EU have work to do to reach the target of less than 9% set by the EU for 2030.

“At a time marked by growing inequalities and educational poverty, schools must be much more than a place of learning. They must become a garrison of inclusion and social justice,” said Father Francesco Preite, national president of Salesians for Social.

“We strive every day not to leave any child behind, rekindling motivation to study, offering authentic listening, concrete experiences and the constant presence of educators. In synergy with families and schools, we build educational contexts based on trust, acceptance and support. Following Don Bosco’s preventive system, we support the most fragile so that they can develop their potential and build, through education, a dignified future.”

To date, there are about 2,000 youth participating in Salesian projects across the country. These projects involve 160 educators and are distributed in nearly all the diverse regions of Italy. The common thread is the aim to respond effectively and innovatively to the educational needs of youth and their families. One project involves 550 students from 14 at-risk schools in five Italian cities: Rome, Cisternino, Palermo, Turin and Macerata. The project focuses on after-school and leisure activities.

Among the most important projects of Salesians for Social is the “Counter neighbors” project, financed by the Intesa San Paolo Charity Fund to combat educational poverty. This project has involved over 500 youth between the ages of 9 and 14 in five areas of high educational challenges. These areas include La Spezia, Casale Monferrato, Piedimonte Matese, Soverato and Modica. Through experiential workshops, after-school courses, educational supports for families and Community Educational Pacts, the project has forged solid educational alliances between schools, the territory and families.

During this project, 200 youth have improved cognitive, relational and motivational skills and 40 have returned to school after dropping out. In addition, dozens of families have become actively involved in their children’s education.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Italy – One student in four feels excluded at school. Salesians for Social re-launches projects to foster inclusion and combat school dropout

European Commission – Preventing early leaving from education and training (ELET)

Salesian Missions – Italy

World Bank – Italy