Enhanced Benefits: "Complimentary Bus Rides for All Pupils, Incentives Extended Beyond Higher Education Students"
In a bid to alleviate the financial burden on students and promote ecological awareness, high school principals across Italy are advocating for the extension of free public transport to all students, or at least those in compulsory education.
At the heart of this movement is Nancy Grande, head of the Palazzeschi comprehensive institute, who believes that this measure could significantly reduce the financial strain on families and encourage the use of sustainable transportation. Paola De Faveri, principal of the Alfieri classical high school, shares similar sentiments, expressing concern about the potential impact of any symbolic fee on the financial situation of students and their families.
The economic burden is a significant concern for many students and their parents, particularly in schools like the Birago vocational institute and the Berti high school in Piazza Bernini, where transportation costs can be a significant expense. Vice-principals Franco Poerio at Birago and Pietro Rapisarda at Beccari Institute criticise the charging of students for transportation and call for the measure to be extended.
High school principals argue that students often choose schools based on the educational offer, not proximity to home. Therefore, making public transport free could encourage more students to choose schools based on their educational offerings, rather than their location. De Faveri also believes that extending the free transport bonus would promote ecological awareness and improve air quality in the city.
Some countries and regions already provide free public transport passes to high school students. For instance, the Northern Territory in Australia allows students enrolled in primary, middle, or senior school to travel for free upon presenting a valid student card. This initiative aims to facilitate student mobility and lessen financial burdens on families. Similarly, in certain parts of the United States, programs like "Summer of Freedom" allow middle and high school students to ride buses free during summer by showing student ID cards.
These programs are primarily designed to improve access to education, reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and encourage early habituation to public transit. By removing transport cost barriers, these initiatives aim to make education more accessible, reduce car usage, and promote the use of sustainable transportation.
While specific examples in Italy are less prevalent, the benefits of free public transport passes for students are clear. These benefits include decreased household transportation costs, increased student independence, and potential environmental benefits through reduced car use.
As the discussion continues, it is hoped that Italian cities and regions will consider implementing similar measures to support students, promote ecological awareness, and encourage the use of public transportation.
[1] Northern Territory Government. (2021). Free public transport for students. Retrieved from https://nt.gov.au/transport/public-transport/concession-travel/concession-travel-for-students
[5] Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. (n.d.). Summer of Freedom. Retrieved from https://www.wmata.com/summeroffreedom/
The advocacy for free public transport for students in Italy, led by Principal Nancy Grande and others, could potentially reduce financial strain on families, as shown in the Northern Territory in Australia where similar measures have been implemented. This initiative not only aims to make education more accessible but also promotes ecological awareness by encouraging the use of sustainable transportation, as hinted by Principal Paola De Faveri's sentiments.
By examining the benefits of free transport passes in other regions, such as the Northern Territory and certain parts of the United States, it becomes clear that such a measure could yield economic, environmental, and self-development benefits for the students in Italy, aligning with the goals of education-and-self-development.
