National strategy

In 2014, Eurydice and Cedefop published a joint report entitled "Tackling Early Leaving from Education and Training in Europe: Strategies, Policies and Measures", which examines early school leaving as a major challenge across Europe. The report outlined the efforts of Member States and the European Commission to monitor developments and implement strategies to prevent dropouts and support student learning.

From the report, it emerges that: 

• In Italy, policies to tackle early leaving are not yet incorporated into a comprehensive strategy; however, some efforts have been made to strengthen inter-ministerial cooperation (p. 72);
• Italy shows a tradition of cooperation across multiple ministries, including those responsible for labour, youth, family, justice, and health, in efforts to address early school leaving.
• Education and career guidance are seen as key tools for prevention, intervention and compensation measures to tackle early leaving;
• ISTAT collects national data on students at risk of dropping out: data covers general and vocational/technical education, with figures available at national, regional, local, and institutional levels.

According to ISTAT data, in 2023, 10.5% of young people aged 18-24 obtained at most a lower secondary school qualification and left the education and training system early. This figure has been steadily declining in recent years and is now approaching the European Union’s 2030 target of 9%. Between 2022 and 2023, the reduction was particularly evident in the North-West and Central regions, and among girls. Therefore, a gender gap remains: early school leaving is more prevalent among boys (13.1%) compared to girls (7.6%), with especially high dropout rates recorded in Sardinia (23.4%), Campania (19.3%), and Sicily (18.6%).

The Ministry of Education and Merit has a leading role in coordinating these efforts, in collaboration with the Ministry of University and Research and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, which focuses on the integration of training with employment opportunities. 

Regional authorities are responsible for implementing specific measures tailored to regional needs, addressing disparities in school participation and early school leaving. These strategies are subject to ongoing monitoring and evaluation to assess their impact and adjust as needed.

Formal education: main policy measures on ELET

Combating early school leaving became a national priority in response to the challenges highlighted in the 2014 Eurydice/Cedefop report, which underscores the need for more coordinated and effective actions. As a result, various policy initiatives and educational programmes have been developed both at national and regional levels. Some of the main measures include:

• The Caivano Decree (Law 159/2023) introduces significant measures to tackle school absenteeism, especially in Southern Regions. It strengthens the role of local authorities and school staff in monitoring attendance and establishes the National Education Register (Anagrafe Nazionale dell’Istruzione- ANIST) to track compliance with compulsory education. The law allows prompt intervention in cases of repeated unjustified absences, which may lead to fines or criminal charges.
• The Initiative Agenda South (Decree 176/2023 of the Minister of Education and Merit): aims to reduce learning gaps between Northern and Southern Italy, ensuring equal educational opportunities for all students nationwide. Its main objective is to tackle early school leaving, starting from primary education, through targeted measures in schools located in Southern regions.  
• The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), under Investment 1.4, includes extraordinary measures for lower and upper secondary schools to support students at risk and promote educational inclusion. The interventions focus on mentoring and guidance, strengthening basic skills, involving families, and offering co-curricular workshops.
• Some Italian Regions have developed targeted projects to address early school leaving, tailored to their specific local contexts and needs. For example, the Y.E.S. (Youth Educational Services) project in Trentino-Alto Adige Region provides personalised support for at-risk students.

Addressing ELET through non-formal and informal learning and quality youth work

In recent years, several initiatives have embraced non-formal and informal approaches to help prevent early school leaving. One of them is the Fuoriclasse In Movimento programme,  based on over a decade of experience by Save the Children in preventing early school leaving, with a focus on promoting student well-being, supporting learning recovery, and enhancing the skills and knowledge of key adults involved in students' education. Fuoriclasse combines formal and non-formal activities through motivational and study support workshops, as well as advisory councils and school camps, promoting inclusion and motivation to study.

Education and career guidance are seen as key tools for prevention, intervention and compensation measures to tackle early leaving. They are provided both within schools and through external services, such as: provincial job centres, regional information and guidance centres, university and upper secondary school guidance offices and the InformaGiovani association.

Cross-sector coordination and monitoring of ELET interventions

Combating early school leaving in Italy requires effective governance and collaboration between national and regional institutional levels. The report ‘National and Regional Strategies to Combat Early School Leaving’, edited by the National Institute for Public Policy Analysis (INAPP), highlights how institutional strategic direction is fundamental to promote effective coordination. The document analyses specific interventions and underlines the need for an integrated approach involving schools, local authorities and territorial stakeholders.

The Youth Guarantee, which continues thanks to funding from the National Programme for Youth, Women and Work 2021-2027, ensures that young people under 25 who are not in education or employment receive an offer of further education or training within four months of leaving school or becoming unemployed. It is an example of cross-sectoral cooperation in Italy, involving the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of University and Research and regional authorities. It brings together employment services, schools, universities, training providers, and private sector actors to offer integrated support for young people.