Schools that have chosen change. The experience of second choice schools in Italy.

Abstract

Behind the birth and development of Second Choice Schools lies a fundamental question which the institution itself must answer- Over this last ten years have these schools been able to educate the “person” and what obstacles have been encountered in trying to meet this objective? At the heart of the matter lies the question of whether the education of the “individual” or that of the citizen comes first. Should we give priority to the development of humanitas, which belongs to every person, as the overriding factor in respect to development of citizenship. In essence the citizen cannot exist if the individual has not emerged beforehand. Schools cannot be blamed for the process of dehumanisation or secularisation that is taking place in this so called “post-modern” age. There is an institutional duty to fight so that the younger generations become consciously aware of the value of life and the central role of study and culture, not as a means of liberation or social advancement but as the primary source of humanity, and giving meaning and direction to existence