PHYSICAL AND SPORT EDUCATION IN ITALY

Abstract

Physical Education in Italy, as a school subject, was introduced in 1859, formerly named “Gymnastics”, then “Physical Education” and now “Motor and Sport Sciences”. In the primary school no physical education teacher is required so PE is taught by the general teacher. In some schools a PE teacher works with the generalist teacher. Recently the Ministry of Education introduced a PE graduate specialist role in the primary school in order to improve action and give to physical education equal dignity compared to the other disciplines. The national curriculum specifies the essential level that must be granted by all school, the number of compulsory hours and the quota reserved to the autonomy of each school. On the secondary level PE is taught by Physical Education specialist teachers. Extracurricular sports activities are supported through the special funding from the Ministry of Education. The sports activities combine in the definition of the student’s curriculum and acquired competences as well as in the final mark attributed to the state exams. In the 1970s, the cooperation between the Ministry of Education and C.O.N.I. allowed the beginning of introducing into sports practice elementary and first-level secondary school children. To qualify as a Physical Education teacher a university master degree is needed, plus one year of teaching training (3+2+1). This is provided by faculties of physical education.