Slovenian minority hopeful about schools network as Italian minister extends hand

The Slovenian Community (SSk) expressed optimism that this initiative could help the minority avoid future interventions in their education system that do not align with the community's interests.

It noted in a press release on Wednesday that this was the first meeting of this type between an Italian education minister and representatives of the Slovenian minority in roughly a decade.

Among the proposals discussed was the idea of using the existing Regional Education Commission, established under the protective legislation for the minority, as the framework for the working group.

The commission would be expanded to include representatives from the Italian Ministry of Education and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, with its remit updated accordingly.

Such a structure would provide the Slovene Education Office with a permanent dialogue partner both in Rome and at the regional level, thereby strengthening its autonomy - something the minority has sought for many years, according to the SSk.

This approach would also safeguard the minority's education system against top-down interventions that fail to respect their interests, the organisation added.

It further stressed that the proposal will require agreement with the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, though they do not foresee significant obstacles. At a recent meeting, region President Massimiliano Fedriga expressed his support for greater autonomy and decentralisation in school administration, as well as for the development of Slovenian education in the region.

The meeting with the minister was held in the face of reductions in the Slovenian school network, including the number of headteacher posts at Slovenian schools in Italy. The SSk acknowledged the need to reorganise Slovene schools to better meet contemporary needs.