Italian schools to adopt Japanese model: students will maintain classroom cleanliness

The Italian Ministry of Education and Merit (MIM) has announced a new educational strategy set to change the daily habits of students in primary and secondary schools. Minister Giuseppe Valditara signed a circular urging school principals to implement regular practices related to maintaining order. According to the guidelines, students should leave classrooms in impeccable condition after lessons, put away teaching aids, and ensure the cleanliness of laboratories, gyms, and toilets. The circular is part of a broader reform of civic education. The initiative has sparked numerous media comments, which point to inspiration from Japan's educational system, where school cleaning by children is a traditional element of character-building. Minister Valditara argues that learning to care for the common good is a crucial exercise in social life and civic coexistence. The ministry aims to combat problems like vandalism, destruction of school furniture, and leaving trash in classrooms after lessons. Beyond the call for cleaning, the ministry has launched a 30-million-euro fund to implement specific educational projects. These funds are intended to support schools in reclaiming school parks and caring for public property in cooperation with non-governmental organizations and local governments. The Italian education system has long struggled with underfunded infrastructure and the degradation of school buildings, often leading to tensions between administration, students, and trade unions. While the proposal aims at education, the largest trade union, CGIL, noted that schools face more serious structural problems than a lack of order in classrooms. Nevertheless, the government hopes that renewed spaces will become "outdoor classrooms," improving learning comfort and the sense of responsibility among the younger generation. „Si tratta di un'azione di grande valore sociale, che le scuole possono realizzare nell'ambito delle attività di educazione civica.” — Giuseppe Valditara The rules are to apply primarily in secondary schools and middle schools, emphasizing self-discipline. The reform aligns with the ministry's conservative course, promoting respect for authority and state property.