We the Italians April 18, 2016 - 78 | Page 54

th # 78 APRIL 18 , 2016 Italian school system is one of the best in the world. Why? Well it is easily summarized. Firstly, our programs are geared more towards a global view on several topics. Secondly, the programs create a very solid background, a theoretical knowhow that a student can easily bring into his practical world. Thirdly, the contents and 54 | WE THE ITALIANS www.wetheitalians.com the contextualizations do prepare the students to the specific fields they have embraced. Many critics would disagree with my assertions by emphasizing that our school is still very “theoretical” and not enough “hands-on” like the American one. I would answer “maybe” but at least an average Italian student could cite Dante Alighieri ‘s work, indicate Giotto’s frescos not to mention Giuseppe Verdi’s representation of the middle class in his operas and the achievement of great historians and scientists. In sum, as Alessandro Manzoni would say, ai posteri, l’ardua sentenza: let the future generation decide if it is better to concentrate only on STEM subjects or, maybe, a little bit more of humanistic knowledge would really help in revolutionizing the learning progress. For a complete idea of the Italian school, please refer to this chart.