Educazione Parentale e Libertà Educativa | Educazione parentale e libertà educativa

Erika Di Martino is a European social entrepreneur and educational activist, widely recognized as a leading voice in the movement for educational freedom and homeschooling in Italy and across Europe.

She is the President of the Libera Scuola Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes a new vision of education through cultural, educational, and training projects centered on family responsibility, autonomy, and child-led learning. Erika maintains an open and ongoing dialogue with the Italian Ministry of Education, supporting families who choose educational paths outside the traditional school system.

Erika lives in Ireland with her five children, all of whom have been educated entirely outside the conventional school system and were never enrolled in school. Some of them are now attending university, demonstrating that it is possible to reach high academic and personal outcomes without reproducing school structures at home. Erika participates in numerous Home Education activities and conferences in Europe.

She is the founder of EDUpar, the Italian national network for parental education and homeschooling, which has supported thousands of families since 2011, and the director of EDUlearn, a bilingual (Italian–English) online academy offering stress-free learning experiences, courses, and workshops for children and teenagers aged 6 to 17.

A writer and public speaker, Erika is the author of the first Italian book on homeschooling (Homeschooling. Parental Education in Italy, 2017) and of the illustrated children’s book The World Is My Classroom. She regularly collaborates with national and international media and has appeared on numerous television programs, contributing to public discourse on education, family, and social change.

Erika is also actively engaged at a European and global level, collaborating with international organizations such as Homeschooling Europe (Switzerland) and GHEX – Global Home Education Exchange (USA). Through these networks, she participates in conferences, institutional dialogues, and research initiatives worldwide.

With more than 15 years of experience, Erika works to help families reclaim their educational competence and to promote personalized, human-centered learning paths. Her mission is not to prescribe solutions, but to open possibilities, support informed choices, and build bridges between families, institutions, and society.

Families relocating to Italy or considering parental education can access direct, structured support:

Online consultation calls can be booked directly to receive personalized guidance on Italian homeschooling laws, procedures, and practical steps.

In-person meetings and events are regularly organized across Italy through the EDUpar network, offering opportunities for connection, orientation, and community building.

For legal and bureaucratic guidance, families can consult the Libera Schola Foundation website, which provides official information fully translated into English, including references to Italian law, procedures, and compliance requirements.

This ensures that non-Italian-speaking families can orient themselves clearly and safely within the Italian educational framework.

How many students are currently in parental education in Italy?
As of the 2024–2025 school year, more than 16,000 students are officially registered in parental education in Italy. This number has grown steadily since 2000 and reflects a broader global trend. In the United States, homeschoolers exceed 4 million, while many European countries are now witnessing second- and third-generation homeschooling families.
Which educational levels can parental education cover in Italy?
Parental education in Italy can legally cover all levels of compulsory education, from primary school through upper secondary education, and can lead all the way to university access.

Parents must submit an annual declaration confirming their technical or financial capacity and a general educational plan to the local public school acting as the supervising authority. Students are required to sit annual suitability exams (idoneità) until compulsory education is completed.
How does socialization work for homeschooled children?
Homeschooled children in Italy are not isolated. On the contrary, they often experience richer and more diverse socialization than in age-segregated classrooms. They participate in sports, arts, volunteer work, study groups, travel programs, workshops, online courses, and community activities—interacting daily with people of different ages and backgrounds.
Why do families choose parental education?
Families choose parental education for many reasons: pedagogical, emotional, health-related, linguistic, philosophical, logistical, or cultural. A common motivation is the desire to offer children a more meaningful, respectful, and individualized learning experience, avoiding stressful or non-inclusive school environments.

In Italy, parental education (homeschooling) is a constitutionally protected right.

Key principles:

Article 30 of the Italian Constitution affirms parents’ right and duty to educate their children.
Article 34 guarantees access to education and allows alternative forms to fulfill compulsory education.
Parental education is one of the legally recognized ways to comply with compulsory education (10 years).
Parents must:
Submit an annual written notification to the local supervising school
Declare technical or economic capacity
Provide a general educational plan
Ensure the child passes annual suitability exams at a public or accredited private school
Once compulsory education is fulfilled, annual exams are no longer required unless the student re-enters the school system.

All official procedures, legal references, and step-by-step explanations are available in English on the Libera Schola Foundation website, making Italy one of the most accessible European countries for international homeschooling families.

Is Homeschooling Legal in Italy?
Yes.
Homeschooling (called istruzione parentale in Italian) is guaranteed by Article 30 of the Italian Constitution and regulated by national law. Parents have the right to personally provide education to their children or appoint a tutor of their choice.
Which Ages and Grades Can I Homeschool?
You can homeschool your child from age 6 to 16, covering all compulsory education, remember that each year there is an exam which is in Italian.
You may continue homeschooling for upper secondary education as well, and students can sit the State exams (middle school or high school graduation) as private candidates.
How does socialization work for homeschooled children?
Homeschooled children in Italy are not isolated. On the contrary, they often experience richer and more diverse socialization than in age-segregated classrooms. They participate in sports, arts, volunteer work, study groups, travel programs, workshops, online courses, and community activities—interacting daily with people of different ages and backgrounds.
What Are the Legal Requirements?
Every year, you must:

Submit a written declaration to a local public school (usually your district’s comprehensive school).

Confirm that you have the technical or economic capacity to educate your child.

Attach a general educational plan (progetto educativo) for the year.

Ensure your child sits an annual suitability exam (esame di idoneità) at a public or accredited private school.

👉 All steps are explained in English https://www.liberaschola.org/en-gb/Regulatory-references and forms https://www.liberaschola.org/en-gb/copia-di-modulistica

Erika Di Martino ﻿Homeschooling and Educational Freedom

If you want something you’ve never had, you must do something you’ve never done.

News & Updates on Erika Di Martino

Supportiamo famiglie e educatori nel costruire percorsi educativi personalizzati, lontani dai modelli scolastici tradizionali, per un apprendimento autentico e relazionale.

Supportiamo famiglie e educatori nel costruire percorsi educativi personalizzati, lontani dai modelli scolastici tradizionali, per un apprendimento autentico e relazionale.

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More about Erika Di Martino

Support for International Families Moving to or Living in Italy

Homeschooling in Italy

Frequently Asked Questions

How many students are currently in parental education in Italy?

Which educational levels can parental education cover in Italy?

How does socialization work for homeschooled children?

Why do families choose parental education?

Legal Framework

Official Links & Resources

Linktree (all resources):

Libera Scuola Foundation

﻿(legal information – EN):

EDUpar – Italy’s #1 Homeschooling Network (since 2011)

EDUlearn – Online Academy (EN/IT)

Welcome to Italy

A Quick Guide to Homeschooling

Are you moving to Italy and planning to homeschool your children?You're not alone—and you're in the right place.

Italy legally recognizes parental education (homeschooling) as a valid and protected way to fulfill

﻿compulsory education. Whether you are staying temporarily or planning to live here long-term,

this guide will help you take your first confident steps.

Is Homeschooling Legal in Italy?

Which Ages and Grades Can I Homeschool?

How does socialization work for homeschooled children?

What Are the Legal Requirements?

Where Can I Get Help?

Here are some pictures of our latest educational initiatives,

because homeschoolers are a strong, active network.

Opinions from families and participants

Sara B., mother and teacher

Luca F., father and trainer

Martina R., homeschooling family

Giovanni P., educator and parent

Laboratorio di Apprendimento Naturale

Seminario su Worldschooling

Corso di Consulenza Personalizzata

Erika Di Martino Homeschooling and Educational Freedom

(legal information – EN):

Are you moving to Italy and planning to homeschool your children?
You're not alone—and you're in the right place.

compulsory education. Whether you are staying temporarily or planning to live here long-term,