School, 7,000 positions cut among teachers and ATA staff

Italian public schools are set to lose another 7,000 jobs. The draft of the financial maneuver for 2027, sent to the Chamber for parliamentary approval, includes a reduction of 4,925 teaching positions and 2,049 administrative, technical, and auxiliary staff (ATA) positions starting in September 2027.

These new cuts come on top of reductions already decided with the 2025 Budget Law, bringing the total number of positions eliminated in the three-year period 2025/2026–2027/2028 to nearly 15,000. The government justifies these choices by citing a decline in student numbers due to low birth rates. The measure is expected to save €83.9 million in 2027 and €251.7 million from 2028 onward.

The decision has sparked immediate protests from unions and the opposition. CGIL describes it as a maneuver that "exceeds the worst expectations," while CISL expresses "clear opposition" and calls for the measure to be withdrawn. Even within the majority, particularly in the Lega party, concerns have been raised. Matteo Salvini hinted that Parliament might intervene to modify certain aspects.

The contraction of school staff is a topic that has developed in recent years, closely linked to the decline in births in Italy. The number of students has progressively decreased, leading governments to periodically review the number of teachers and staff needed. However, the current situation stems from a series of subsequent legislative decisions.

The first significant step was taken with the Budget Law for 2025, which had already established a reduction of 5,660 teaching positions for the 2025/2026 school year and 2,174 positions for ATA staff from 2026/2027. The financial maneuver for 2027, which is being discussed today, therefore represents the continuation of a downsizing path initiated earlier.

The debate has intensified because the cuts, while responding to a changing demographic reality, also raise concerns about the quality of school services. Unions and the opposition argue that the decline in student numbers should be an opportunity to improve educational offerings by reducing class sizes and enhancing services, not for cutting resources. The situation could have consequences for staff turnover and employment in the public education sector in the coming years.