Training of Primary Teachers at University Level: the Italian case

Abstract

Abstract At present in Italy a primary teacher training course lasts four years at upper high school level. At the end of this the student is awarded a diploma enabling him once he has passed a state examination to be included in the school rolls. The considerable changes in society in recent years have had a strong influence on the schools, thus it has become urgent to change teacher training systems so that teachers can better come to grips with new educational methods. Nowadays the primary school teacher must be a very understanding person as well as professionally well prepared so that he can get a deep insight into the personality of each pupil, and be able to grasp the significance of wide‐reaching social and cultural changes. It therefore seems to be necessary to give aspiring infant and primary teachers a four‐year university training which is the focal point of the proposals so far made by the various professional associations and by the Ministry of Education too, both of whom during meetings and...