The Provincial Centers for Adult Education (CPIA) are public schools established by the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research. They offer a wide range of educational opportunities for adults aged 16 and over, including:
- Basic education courses (Italian language, mathematics, science, history, etc.)
- Second level courses (equivalent to high school)
- Vocational training courses
- Courses for foreign citizens
- Cultural enrichment courses
CPIA are located throughout Italy and are funded by the government. They are open to all adults, regardless of their nationality, educational background, or employment status.
The main objectives of CPIA are to:
- Provide adults with the opportunity to acquire or improve their basic skills
- Help adults to reintegrate into the workforce
- Promote social inclusion and cultural enrichment
CPIA offer a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Traditional classroom instruction
- Online learning
- Distance learning
- Blended learning
CPIA also offer a variety of support services, such as:
- Academic advising
- Career counseling
- Financial aid
- Tutoring
CPIA play an important role in the Italian education system. They provide adults with the opportunity to continue their education and to acquire the skills they need to succeed in the workforce and in society.
Here are some of the benefits of attending a CPIA:
- You can improve your basic skills.
- You can earn a high school diploma or equivalent.
- You can learn new skills for the workforce.
- You can meet new people and make friends.
- You can become more involved in your community.
If you are an adult who is interested in continuing your education, a CPIA is a great option. To find a CPIA near you, you can visit the website of the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research.
The Centri Provinciali per l’Istruzione degli Adulti (CPIA), also known as Provincial Centers for Adult Education, are autonomous educational institutions established by the Italian government. Here are some key points about CPIA:
- Purpose and Autonomy:
- CPIA serve as autonomous schools with their own staff and specific educational and organizational structures.
- They were instituted by the Presidential Decree 263 of October 29, 2012.
- Their primary focus is on providing education for adults.
- Three Levels of Organization:
- Level A: Administrative Unit:
- The CPIA has a central administrative office and first-level delivery points (associated branches).
- These branches offer basic education and Italian language courses for adults.
- The specific locations of these first-level delivery points are determined by the regions.
- Level B: Didactic Unit:
- From an organizational and didactic perspective, CPIA refers to secondary-level educational institutions.
- These institutions provide second-level adult education.
- The second-level delivery points are integrated within secondary schools (operational branches) identified by the regions.
- CPIA, as an administrative unit, collaborates with these secondary schools to define criteria and methods for designing common educational pathways.
- They also facilitate the creation of individual training agreements and promote connections between first and second-level education.
- Level C: Training Unit:
- CPIA can expand their educational offerings by partnering with local entities and other public or private organizations.
- These initiatives aim to enhance citizenship skills and improve employability.
- Level A: Administrative Unit:
- Mission:
- CPIA play a crucial role in promoting adult education and literacy.
- They offer a wide range of courses, including basic literacy, Italian language courses, and second-level education for adults.
- Their goal is to empower adults with essential skills and knowledge.
Our CPIA operates in the provinces of Pescara and Chieti, which together have a total population of 685,819 inhabitants (313,346 in the Province of Pescara and 372,473 in the Province of Chieti). The population aged 15 to 64 years, potentially users of the CPIA, amounts to 429,816 inhabitants (197,903 in the Province of Pescara and 231,913 in the Province of Chieti), corresponding to 62.67% of the total population. In the entire Abruzzo region, the percentage of young people aged 15 to 29 years, who are not studying and simultaneously not in the labor market (the so-called NEETs), is 20.7%. The school dropout rate is 8.8% (in the Abruzzo region). The higher propensity for dropping out of school affects male students and especially foreign citizens. The percentage of resident foreigners is 5.39% in the Province of Chieti and 5.32% in the Province of Pescara, which is lower than regional and national values. The prevalent nationalities among foreigners are Romanian, Albanian, and Moroccan. The immigrant population is predominantly composed of women (53.48%). Additionally, irregular foreigners and refugees have been significantly accommodated in recent times. The unemployment rate is 10.7% in the Province of Chieti and 9.5% in the Province of Pescara, exceeding the rates in the other two Abruzzo provinces. At the regional level, the unemployment rate for foreign citizens (18.8%) is much higher than that for Italian citizens (10.6%). Most unemployed foreigners are women (56.1%). Only 7.3% of the employed are foreigners, and only 2.63% are foreign women. Foreigners primarily engage in dependent work (86.7%). The employment sector breakdown is as follows: Tertiary sector (54.8%), particularly in commerce (9.2%) and domestic services (12.7%). Agriculture (12.3%). Industry (remaining percentage not specified) 1.
“L2 Italian for Foreigners”
The CPIA Pescara-Chieti provides pathways for: Literacy and learning of the Italian language for foreign citizens aimed at obtaining a certificate attesting to the achievement of a level of knowledge of the Italian language not lower than A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, developed by the Council of Europe. Total hours: 200. The A2 level certificate of Italian language proficiency, issued by CPIA, is useful for obtaining a residence permit for long-term residents (DM 4/6/2010 art. 2 c.1). Furthermore, the CPIA Pescara-Chieti, as a CELI examination center (Linguistic Certification of the University for Foreigners of Perugia), organizes exam sessions for obtaining the CELI B1 certification required for Italian citizenship application.
The CPIA serves as:
- Italian language proficiency test center, as per D.M. 4/6/2010, for foreigners applying for a long-term residence permit;
- Civic education and information session center, according to D.P.R. n. 179 of 14/9/2011;
- Integration agreement verification center.
Expansion of Educational Offer In addition to the institutional courses, CPIA Pescara-Chieti offers a wide range of extracurricular activities and modular courses, organized based on the requests and educational needs of its students, as well as the demands of the local community. Some courses are directly promoted by CPIA Pescara-Chieti, while other workshops can be activated, subject to the planned funding, within the network agreements established with other secondary education institutions.
“Lower Secondary School (Scuola Secondaria di I Grado) and the First Two Years of Upper Secondary School (Biennio II Grado)”
The CPIA Pescara-Chieti offers the following pathways:
- First Level – First Didactic Period for the Achievement of the Conclusive Title of the First Cycle of Education (formerly middle school)
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- Total hours: 400 hours
- In the absence of the conclusive certification from primary school, the total hours can be increased up to a maximum of an additional 200 hours, depending on the knowledge and skills possessed by the student.
- First Level – Second Didactic Period aimed at Certification attesting to the Acquisition of Basic Skills related to the Compulsory Education (corresponding to the end of the first two years of upper secondary school in the general area)
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- Total hours: 792 hours.
Expansion of Educational Offer: In addition to institutional courses, CPIA Pescara-Chieti offers a wide range of extracurricular activities and modular courses, organized based on the requests and educational needs of its students and the demands of the local community. Some courses are directly promoted by CPIA Pescara-Chieti, while other workshops can be activated, subject to the planned funding, within the network agreements established with other secondary education institutions (IISS).