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Climate Change Education now compulsory in Italian Schools

3 min read

Sustainable Planet
Climate Change Education now compulsory in Italian Schools
Source: Instagram - Friday For Future Roma

In a world’s first, schools in Italy will now be required to teach mandatory climate change lessons.

Climate Change Education Made Compulsory In Schools By Italian Government

The government of Italy has made a bold and progressive mandate by decreeing all schools in Italy will be having climate change education from now on. The school curriculum will include climate change education in the forthcoming school year.

— Italian education minister and lawmaker, Lorenzo Fioramonti.
“Without faster progress on education there will be no chance of achieving the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050,” — Italian education minister and lawmaker, Lorenzo Fioramonti. Source: LorenzoFioramonti.org

Ministry of Education to develop curriculum with the help of scientific experts

Italy’s education minister, Lorenzo Fioramonti, said in a public statement that the entire Italian ministry will be changed in order to make climate and sustainability the pivot of their educational model. Fioramonti added that he will be making Italy’s education system put society and environment at the centre of the learning process.

Fioramonti belongs to the anti-establishment movement of Five Star and has always been vocal in his support for progressive and green policies. In addition, he also received both praise and condemnation last September for encouraging students to skip school to attend climate protests.

The new academic session in the public schools of Italy will be beginning from the month of September. When students return to school, they will be offered 1 hour every week that will be dedicated to the course related to climate change. 

The Ministry of Education plans to develop this curriculum with the help of scientific experts to provide a rounded knowledge. 

Vincenzo Cramarossa, spokesperson for Fioramonti, mentioned that other subjects will also undergo sustainable development. Subjects such as physics, maths, and geography will incorporate a better point of view for the students’ awareness. He also remarked that the main purpose behind introducing such changes in the curriculum is to make their citizens better prepared to tackle climate change in the future. They want their children to be ready for any climate-related emergency. 

Forward-thinking Fioramonti, an ex-professor of Economics at Pretoria University in South Africa, has also planned on creating new taxes for sugary foods, airline tickets, and plastic, with the proceeds to fund the public education system. He also asked schools to remove all crucifixes to make it more inclusive towards non-Christians.

Source: ThePlanetVoice

Source: LorenzoFioramonti.org

several of Fioramonti‘s opponents have rejected his ideas

While Fioramonti says he intends to implement these changes across the country, several of his opponents have rejected his ideas. That said, the government of Italy recently presented a budget proposal in the parliament which includes taxation on both sugary drinks and plastics. 

After this budget proposal presentation, Fioramonti expressed his pleasure by saying that many people treated his ideas with contempt. But, he is happy that the government has accepted 2 of his proposals and the people have also embraced his ideas. He says his vision for an environmentally sustainable curriculum was inspired by Greta Thunberg. 

He was greatly motivated by the political activism coming from students and young activists who take climate change very seriously. Right now, the political environment in Italy seems largely divided over Fioramonti’s ideas and proposals. However, climate change is merely one of the many existential threats according to him. 

Fioramonti seems very enthusiastic and committed to bringing about these changes in the country, and plans to make more such changes to prevent climate change and lead by example. 

Source: ThePlanetVoice

Each year, teachers at all grade levels will be required to include 33 hours of education about climate change and related topics. The lessons will be integrated into existing civics classes, as well as other traditional subjects such as geography, maths and physics. It is proposed that 6 to 19 years olds will spend a minimum of one hour a week on topics such as ocean pollution, sustainable living and renewable resources. Subjects like geography and physics will be taught from the perspective of sustainable development.
Starting in September, Italian students in every grade will learn about climate change and sustainability, bringing Italy to the forefront of environmental education worldwide. Each year, teachers at all grade levels will be required to include 33 hours of education about climate change and related topics. The lessons will be integrated into existing civics classes, as well as other traditional subjects such as geography, maths and physics. It is proposed that 6 to 19 years olds will spend a minimum of one hour a week on topics such as ocean pollution, sustainable living and renewable resources. Subjects like geography and physics will be taught from the perspective of sustainable development. Source: Unsplash/Malcolm Lightbody
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