Homeland and environment, mafias and drugs: everything goes into the 33 hours of civic education. The big exclusion is affective education

In 33 hours a year of civic education, teachers and professors from now on will have to teach everything and more: from values constitutional of solidarity and freedom to the formation of the conscience of a common Italian identity to the promotion of the corporate culture to education in the fight against all mafias and all forms of crime and illegality in compliance with theenvironment and of life quality of citizens. But not only that: teachers will also have to talk about education in respect for all public goods; about promoting health and correct lifestyles, starting fromdiet; to prevent and combat addictions resulting from drugs, smoking, alcohol, doping, pathological use of the web, gaming and gambling; road safety education; promoting a culture of respect for women; financial and insurance education; the ethical use of digital technology and the enhancement of the culture of work.

These are the new guidelines for teaching civic education signed today by the Minister of Education and Merit Joseph Valditara. The number one of Viale Trastevere in listing the dream book of the good student must have forgotten that Law 92 of 20 August 2019 introduced from the 2020-2021 school year the transversal teaching of civic education in the first and second cycle of education but with only 33 hours per year where it is difficult to address all the topics drawn up by the minister. Also noteworthy is the only – probably – absent theme, that of education to sexuality and affectivity much requested by many in our country.

In any case, now, the document has been sent to the Higher Council of Public Education for the required non-binding opinion, but it will soon arrive on the desks of school principals and staff entering the classroom. Among the main innovations introduced, the minister confirmed the ban on the use, even for educational purposes, of smartphone from nursery school to middle school, even though many people pointed out to Valditara that in the so-called “nursery” and “primary” schools there were very few minors who showed up at school with a cell phone.

These guidelines do not lack a “foot” from the Northern League when it says: “The connection between civic sense and the feeling of belonging to the national community defined as Homeland is highlighted, a concept expressly recalled and valued by the Constitution. Around the strengthening of the sense of belonging to a national community, which has its reference in the constitutional values, it is also intended to promote the integration of foreign students. At the same time, the valorization of territories and the knowledge of local cultures and histories promote a broader and more authentic awareness of national culture and history”.