The Berlusconi government has provided for in Decree-Law No. 112 of 25 July 2008 a series of interventions in terms of economic development and stabilization of public finance and tax equalization that will complement the 2009 budget package early in the three-year Planning Document . According to many on the left, the issue of education was not considered appropriate at the right in this decision: instead of the decree-law provides, in Articles. 64 and 70, a series of measures for reducing costs in Education. It 'obvious that the cure is radical are understandable concerns expressed by school staff but we believe that the road from the spigot government is the right one. Certainly when it comes to cuts, no one can say with enthusiasm: but in a critical situation in the present economic executive director of a realistic and objective can only be one: spend less money to spend better. Minister Tremonti merely indicate possible ways in which to make the cuts: this inevitably affects the Ministry of Education to give a soul and a sense of an operation that is likely to appear guided solely by reasons of urgent cash. Interesting in this respect, especially to clarify the issue, analyze the issues highlighted by the favorable opinion of the Culture Commission presided over by 'On Aprea. On promoting the adoption mixed form of books (printed and on-line) indicated a need that is not less than the quality of educational processes and their key tools (books) providing full usability of the same by the students. This indicates the need for state capital investment, publishers and families for the deployment of new technologies (hardware and software), connections, platforms ... through a decisive role in the relationship between publishers and users of schools. It is also necessary to exclude any reduction in resources devoted to direct contributions to the field of publishing. With reference to Article 64: it is vital that the workforce reduction ATA is not calculated on all staff profiles, thus excluding the figures needed to develop administrative autonomy, referring to the bundling of rationalization and competition classes are indicated as primary targets for greater flexibility in personnel and a substantial reduction of disciplines, so as to guide the curriculum on the eight national basic skills set from Europe.; on the curriculum frameworks and related schedules of optional activities including paths in upper secondary education taking into account the organization hopes the second round expected in the Moratti reform, as the reform of technical and vocational schools will operate reductions in the address field, you eliminate the duplication of courses, you significantly reduce the hours of lectures in favor of teaching workshops and school-work. Now we get into the details of what concerns the most critical point and discussed, namely that of reducing school staff. As regards the problem of 'human resource allocation is proposed to operate in the interests of flexibility in curricula, moving from a review of criteria for training classes that allow the human resources assigned to classes starting from the number of pupils, the type of training and leaving school to full self-organization of the classes themselves. Goes in this direction also an indication that the reshaping of the organization Teaching primary school to be valued the principles of flexibility and customization of the curriculum. In this sense it appears that the guidelines laid down are clear and precise: definitely the way the school has to take is tough, but through a serious implementation of school autonomy and accountability of the school staff will be able to open a new season: you can spend more and offer services not quantitatively and qualitatively efficient and effective. We talk about the risks of inadequate educational facilities especially with regard to safety and operational activities laboratorali, we are confident that these logistical and organizational problems exist but in this sense makes a difference this legislative intervention: they offer guidelines then in their concrete actions must be shaped by school staff of the territory based on the realities of the local education system, through a full "independent" schools. Executive guidelines that offer the possibility of the Ministry of Education no longer be an annex of the Ministry of Economy. I do not deny that the path traced is difficult and I understand your worries, we are however still being "processed" with regard to these measures and I think the proper way to move forward in the confrontation between local needs and perspectives of government is to address dialogue frank and sincere where everyone "do its" in the roll up their sleeves and work for the benefit of students. I think that is what we must inspire a strong sense of realism and reformism which goes beyond the historical strength of the conservative bloc that so far has succeeded in pushing up the amount of expenditure in public education and to reduce dramatically the quality of the education system. Posted by Mirko De Carli
President Circle Network Italy "Thomas More" Coordinator and Vice-FI-PDL Ravenna
