The Formal System of Adult Education in Italy from CTPs (1997) to CPIAs (2013/2014): an Inside View of the Situation

This paper describes as things stand about adult education policies in Italy. It analyzes the recent (legislative and organizational) transition from CTPs (Permanent Territorial Centers for education and training in adulthood, established in 1997) to CPIAs (Provincial Centersfor adult education – above all in the sense of schooling – active since the school year 2013/2014), which represent the new institutional format about formal adult education. In particular, this article points out the subtended conception of education, of learning and of training for adults, and it analyzes material and intellectual resources devoted to this field. In fact, this reform is not free from criticism, bothin terms of the pursued aims (degree completion to study the first cycle of education and certification attesting the basic skills acquisition, related compulsory education; obtaining technical, professional and artistic educational diploma; literacy courses and Italian language learning) and in terms of CPIAs users, which mostly coincide with the immigrant population. Although it is true that adult education is still needed, today, to remedy old and new illiteracy, it is also true that it must not neglect a less utilitarian dimension, which is dedicated to the planning and to cultural and existential enrichment, at large.