by Maximiliano Crocamo
Schools reopened Monday across Friuli Venezia Giulia, marking the start of the 2026–27 academic year for more than 128,000 students in the northeastern region and approximately 7 million pupils nationwide.
The first day of classes also began in Lombardy, Piedmont and several other Italian regions, while the remaining regions are scheduled to resume lessons gradually through Sept. 17, according to Italy’s staggered national school calendar.
The new school year brings a series of policy changes introduced by the Ministry of Education, aimed at reinforcing traditional classroom learning and reducing digital distractions.
Among the most significant measures is the continued nationwide ban on the use of mobile phones during lessons. The restriction, already introduced in previous years, remains in force as schools seek to encourage greater concentration and face-to-face learning.
Curriculum updates also take effect this year. Schools will expand the use of handwritten work and printed teaching materials, while some institutions will offer Latin as an optional subject as part of broader educational reforms emphasizing classical studies.
In Friuli Venezia Giulia, classrooms reopened for students from primary through secondary education, with teachers and school staff welcoming pupils back after the summer break. The academic calendar will continue through June 2027, with holiday periods and examination dates varying slightly by region.
The reopening marks one of the busiest travel days of the season, as families, students and commuters return to their regular routines across Italy.
