CPIA (Provincial centers for adult education) What are they and why are they important?

What are the CPIA and what do they offer? 

The CPIA are Italian public schools that provide education for adults and young adults (starting from age 16) who have not completed their studies or who wish to acquire new competences. The CPIA offer courses to obtain the junior high diploma(licenza media), the high school diploma (scuola superiore), Italian literacy courses for migrants, and vocational training programs.

The teachers at CPIA are qualified instructors from the Italian Ministry of Education and Merit with specific expertise in adult education.

Within a CPIA, you can undertake different types of courses, some short and some longer, held at different hours in the morning and evening to accommodate workers’ schedules. The main courses offered include:

• Literacy courses (100 hours): for those who do not know Italian and wish to learn how to read, write, and communicate in Italian.

• Italian language courses at different levels: basic A1 and A2 courses for beginners; intermediate B1 and B2; and advanced C1 and C2 for excellent proficiency (80 hours each).

• Other courses, such as computer courses, job-oriented professional training, and language courses.

• Courses to complete compulsory education, middle school diploma (terza media).
  

Each course has a different duration. At the end of each program, students who have attended regularly take a final test. After passing the test, they receive a certificate of attendance or, in some cases, an officially recognized language certification.

Who can enrol?

You can enroll in a CPIA if you are:

• An adult, Italian or migrant person, with a valid permesso di soggiorno, who has not completed compulsory education.

• A young person aged 16 (or in some cases 15) who has not yet obtained a terza media diploma.

• A person who already has a qualification but wishes to resume studying, earn a technical or vocational diploma, or improve their Italian through literacy courses.

When and how can I enrol?

To enroll in a CPIA, you should go to the administration office of the center you choose and fill out the necessary registration forms.
Deadlines and procedures vary depending on the center, so it’s important you are informed in advance.

To complete your enrollment, you should present:

• A valid permesso di soggiorno, or documentation proving refugee status, asylum application, or another form of protection;

• A passport-size photo;

• Proof of payment of a small contribution, if required by the school.

If you are under 18, you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Many CPIA also allow you to enrol online by filling out the forms directly on their official website.

How much does a CPIA course cost?

CPIA courses are usually free or at most they have very low costs because they are part of the public education system managed by the Italian Ministry of Education and Merit.

In some cases, a small voluntary contribution (usually between €10 and €30) may be requested to cover:

• Administrative or insurance costs;
• Learning materials (photocopies, notebooks, etc.);
• Supplementary activities or workshops.
  

The Italian language courses for migrants, as well as terza media school and compulsory education programs, are usually completely free.

How can I find the closest CPIA to me?

There are about 130 CPIA main offices across Italy. In addition to these, there are many other branch learning centers, distributed across all regions, which are hosted in schools or community buildings and where you can take the CPIA courses.

Finding your nearest CPIA is simple:

• Type “CPIA” followed by the name of your city or region in Google (for example: “CPIA Florence” or “CPIA Tuscany”).
• Visit the CPIA’s website to see available courses and nearby branch locations.
• After checking online, you can call or visit the CPIA office in person to speak with the staff and get all the detailed information about courses and enrolment.
  

Why is it important to know Italian?

Knowing Italian is essential to communicate with others and participate in social life.
It helps you access more opportunities for work and study and, in some cases, it is necessary to apply for a long-term permesso di soggiorno or to obtain the Italian citizenship.