Nursery and educational poverty in Italy
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18 September 2019
Noumbé Sarr, Rufisque (Senegal)
20 September 2019
Educational poverty must be tackled in the bud, starting with the nursery school. Quality school and education are in fact the prerequisite for young people to free themselves from the socio-economic difficulties of their families of origin. And thus reduce inequalities, ensuring the health and well-being that still lack in large sections of the population. (1)
Educational inequality amplifies the difficulties of children and young people who come from the poorest families to continue their studies. In low-middle-income countries (LMIC, Low-Middle Income Countries), as well as in those whose economies are more advanced. Inequality is confirmed as the first obstacle to the development of individuals, but also of society. The reports of Oxfam e Save the Children show the gravity of the situation in Italy.
Educational poverty in Italy, public nursery for only 1 in 10
Save the Children inaugurated the school year, in Italy, with the report 'The best start. Inequalities and opportunities in the first years of life. ' (2) The best start - in a country that still sits at the tables of G7 - is still a pious illusion. A real mirage in some regions of Italy, with a serious gap between North and South. At the national level, only one in ten children has the opportunity to attend a public nursery. Although access to early childhood services is recognized as a crucial factor for the harmonious development and pedagogy of the little ones. In addition to allowing parents to maintain employment and family income, giving children more attention in free time from other thoughts.
'Inequalities between children, as regards the acquisition of skills and competences, are formed already in the very first years of life, well before entering school. However, these are not inevitable inequalities: attending the nursery, as well as spending quality time with one's parents, proves to be a determining factor capable of reducing the gap. Yet, in Italy, only 1 in 10 children can access a public nursery, with negative peaks occurring in regions such as Calabria and Campania, where coverage is almost absent and, respectively, only 2,6% and 3,6% , XNUMX% of the children attend a public nursery. A scenario in which the negative repercussions mainly concern minors from economically disadvantaged families and who therefore have greater difficulties in accessing the network of non-affiliated private nurseries'. (Save the Children)
The evolutionary nest
A pilot investigation - conducted in ten Italian cities between March and June 2019 - involved 653 children aged between 3 and a half and 4 and a half years. The children were assessed on the basis of different skills, such as recognizing numbers and letters and making comparisons.
'The children who attended the nursery school responded appropriately to about 47% of the questions proposed compared to 41,6% of those who attended supplementary services, who went to kindergarten early or who stayed at home and therefore did not benefit from any service. A difference that becomes even more marked for minors from families with socio-economic disadvantages. Among these, in fact, those who went to the nursery reacted appropriately to 44% of the questions against 38% of the children who did not attend.'. (2)
In practice, the chicks who have frequented the nursery recognize more signs (numbers and letters) and have 'an extra gear' on different attitudes. From mathematics to verbal expression skills, motor and socio-emotional development. The duration of attendance at the nursery is also decisive in combating educational poverty. 'Children belonging to families with socio-economic disadvantage who attended the nursery for three years, in fact, responded appropriately to 50% of the questions, compared to 42,5% for those whose attendance was between 12 and 24 months. and 38% for a single year or less (a percentage very similar to that of those who did not attend the nursery)'. (2)
The working mother protects her children from educational poverty
The occupation of mothers it represents an advantage in terms of combating educational poverty. Indeed, what matters is the quality of the time parents spend with their children. Reading books and listening to music together, outdoor games and any other activity that the parent can dedicate to the child with joy, without the affliction of other thoughts. The investigation of Save the Children highlights this aspect in its concrete implications in terms of the development of the child's aptitudes. Specifying that 'a working mother represents a protective factor with respect to educational poverty, in particular for children living in a context of socio-economic hardship '.
'According to the research results, children whose mothers are unemployed or engaged in unpaid care work respond appropriately to 38,4% and 43,1% of the questions, respectively. A significantly lower percentage than that of children whose mother carries out manual work (48%), a job as a clerk (51%) or as a manager, entrepreneur or freelancer (55%)'.
Oxfam, the power of education to overcome inequalities
The Oxfam report 'The power of education to defeat inequalityin turn highlights the criticality of the Italian education system. Childcare services such as school services should represent an absolute priority for Italy, which is still far from the modest ones target established at European level. Access to nursery schools and / or supplementary services should be guaranteed to at least 33% of children aged 0 to 3. In Italy, on the other hand, second Save the Children, only 12,3% of children attend a public kindergarten. And a remaining 11,7% would have access to private services. With negative peaks in Calabria and Campania, Puglia and Sicily below half the national average. Not even the Italian 'champions' - Valle d'Aosta (28%), Autonomous Province of Trento (26,7%) and Emilia Romagna (26,6%) - manage to approach the already unfair target European, which should instead be overcome.
'The great inequality access to school in the poorest countries affects the future of entire generations. In an increasingly unequal world, the new generations are paying the highest price in terms of opportunities, especially in developing countries. On average, children born into poor families are 7 times less likely to finish school than their peers born into rich or affluent families. ' But even in countries with the most advanced economies' only 75% of children born into low-income families finish high school against 90% of the children of the richest families'. (3)
Public, free and quality education
The solution it is only one. Investing in public, free and quality education. So that the social class does not determine the future of young people and compromise the development of civilization. China, once again, has a lot to teach. Thanks to the substantial public investments in the quality of mass education, the People's Republic of China today attracts international productive investments - in industry, technology and services - not for the low cost of labor but thanks to a skilled workforce.
Italian politicians - rather than simulating the Calimero syndrome, attributing the blame for economic stagnation to others - they should in fact demonstrate attention to the family. Instead of bringing out ministers , without portfolios and initiative, adequate resources should be allocated to the purposes in the budget law now under discussion. It really could be the last one, Hope. Hope?
Dario Dongo and Sabrina Bergamini
Note
(1) In this regard, the interaction between some Sustainable Development Goals, in the UN Agenda2030 ( Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, # sgds2030):
- SDG 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,
- SDG 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages,
- SDG 10. Reduces inequality within and among countries.
(2) Save the Children Italy (2019). The best start. Inequalities and opportunities in the first years of life
(3) Oxfam Italy (2019). The power of education to defeat inequality
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
