Multiculturalism, Religious Freedom, and School

This article analyses the path of the opening up of the Italian State school system to multiculturalism and religious freedom, culminating in the 2012 National Guidelines on the curriculum for nursery and primary school education. By contrast, the new 2025 National Guidelines on the curriculum for nursery and primary school education mark a clear U-turn, reintroducing an identity-based, Eurocentric and Christian approach. The paper highlights the risks of this choice in terms of a reduction of freedom of teaching, as well as the autonomy of schools to set educational, cultural and religious policy. In reality, the constitutional principle that “schooling is open to all” implies the inclusion of students’ religious and cultural diversity. The article examines how Italian schools have addressed pluralism, with particular attention to the issue of the display of crucifixes and freedom of worship. Case law, including at the European level, has provided mixed answers, culminating, however, with the Italian Court of Cassation’s affirmation of school autonomy. Recent ministerial positions challenge those achievements along with the idea of a secular, democratic and truly inclusive school.