# Italian Government Increases Private School Funding Amid Public Sector Cuts Budget maneuvers spark controversy as state school staff reductions coincide with rising subsidies. - **Source:** [Today.it](https://www.today.it) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/9e3a1db4-97b5-4561-b232-9f4128c10d0b ## Budgetary Shift in Education The Italian government's latest financial maneuver reveals a stark contrast between public and private education funding. While the Ministry of Economy plans to cut nearly 7,000 staff positions in state schools by the 2027/28 academic year, funding for private 'paritarie' institutions has seen a significant increase under the current administration. ## Rising Financial Support State funding for private schools rose from 646.2 million euros in the first Meloni budget to 886.2 million euros by 2026. This represents a 240 million euro increase over three years. Including the 20 million euro school voucher program for families, total support reaches 906.2 million euros, marking a 37.1 percent growth. ## Internal Political Tensions The proposed reduction of 7,000 state school staff positions has caused friction within the governing coalition. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara expressed surprise at the draft measures, while Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini distanced himself from the cuts. These tensions highlight the difficulty of balancing fiscal austerity with educational policy priorities. ## Historical Context of Parity The 'paritarie' system was established by a 2000 law under the second D'Alema government, creating an integrated national education framework. Since 2001, when funding stood at approximately 473 million euros, state contributions have nearly doubled. This growth accelerated significantly during the current administration, particularly through specific allocations for disability support and preschools. ## Composition of Private Institutions Most private schools in Italy are preschools, accounting for 8,166 of the 11,765 total paritarie in the 2023/24 academic year. The Catholic network remains the largest component, with thousands of institutions affiliated with federations like Fism and Fidae. These schools must meet specific requirements regarding teaching qualifications and inclusivity to receive state recognition. ## Targeted Family Vouchers Beyond direct institutional funding, the government introduced vouchers for families with an ISEE income threshold up to 30,000 euros. Eligible families could claim up to 1,500 euros per child attending private middle or early high school. The current budget proposal seeks to extend this 20 million euro measure for another year. ## Constitutional Debate Persists The Italian Constitution states that private entities may establish schools 'without burdens for the State.' This clause has fueled decades of debate regarding the legitimacy of public funding for private education. While Minister Valditara defends these schools as essential for an inclusive system, critics argue the funding contradicts the constitutional spirit. ## Broader Fiscal Implications Although private school subsidies represent a small fraction of the total 57.9 billion euro education budget, the 37.1 percent increase is notable during a period of strict spending reviews. As the government navigates these financial constraints, the disparity between public sector staff cuts and rising private support remains a contentious issue. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.today.it/scuola/finanziamenti-scuole-paritarie-governo-meloni.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._