Brescia School Voucher Dispute Sparks Concern Over Educational Equality

The head of the state high school “Francesco Gonzaga”, Serafino Massoni, has sent a communication to the Province of Mantova and the Municipality of Castiglione regarding “a report of discrimination against students in inter-provincial relations”.

The protest stems from a notice issued by the Province of Brescia concerning the school voucher for families residing within the provincial territory with children attending provincial secondary schools. Essentially, the financial contribution is granted not only based on residence but also with the condition that the school is located in Brescia.

This penalizes, for example, the young people of Montichiari, a municipality from which the complaint was initiated by the Popular councilors, many of whom attend schools in Castiglione.

At the same time, the measure could cause problems for Mantuan schools, especially those near the border, as residents from Brescia might be discouraged from attending them, preferring to study within their own province to receive the financial aid.

Intervention of the Principal and Request

“I am forwarding this complaint to the Mantovan political institutions,” writes Serafino Massoni, “so they take the necessary steps to safeguard the cultural and educational heritage of the territory they administer.”

If the Montichiari Populars request their Province to reopen the solicitation with residence as the only territorial criterion, the principal of “Francesco Gonzaga” fears a process of “municipalization of public schools within a context of cultural and economic globalization.”

“It is right that students attend the best schools,” concludes Massoni, “without being penalized for it.”