COVID-19 reveals Italy's unpreparedness for online education

Despite a €85 million allocation in the Cura Italia decree for digital platforms and tools, Italy's school system is largely unprepared for distance learning due to structural deficiencies (unstable connections, inadequate hardware) and cultural gaps (lack of digital skills among teachers). Testimonies from Brescia province, one of the hardest-hit areas, highlight critical issues: teachers report low student participation, lack of devices for families with multiple children, and the loss of human contact essential for learning. The pandemic has exposed long-standing underinvestment in education—Italy spends only 3.4% of GDP on education (vs. EU average 4.9%) and ranks near the bottom in per-student spending. The crisis forces a rethinking of teaching methods and the role of schools post-COVID.