Back to school on Lake Garda: smartphones banned and new high school diploma 2026
The new school year 2025/2026 has begun on the shores of Lake Garda, with students from Trentino and Veneto returning to class on September 10, followed by those from Lombardy on September 12. This year, the return to school is marked by significant changes, including a ban on the use of smartphones even in high schools and a reform of the 2026 maturity exam. The Ministry of Education has mandated that phones remain turned off throughout the school day, sparking heated debates among students and families. Despite criticism from some students who label these measures as “punitive,” Minister Giuseppe Valditara asserts that the goal is to enhance learning and reduce digital distractions.
A crucial change awaits high school students: starting in 2026, the state exam will officially revert to being called the “maturity exam” and will focus on four subjects selected annually by the Ministry, moving away from the traditional multidisciplinary approach. This reform aims to develop specific skills more aligned with the demands of the university and job market. Those who choose not to take the oral exam will automatically fail, while the written tests will remain unchanged. With these new rules, teachers and students are preparing to face a school year that emphasizes concrete skills over technology in the classroom.
