Politics · Italy · 21 hrs ago
Trentino schools suspend health service sex education sessions pending guidance
In Trentino, a province in northern Italy, planned sessions on sexual and relationship education at high schools have been temporarily suspended.
The sessions are part of a health service project and were to be led by midwives from local health centres.
A new law requires parents to give consent before students can take part in these activities.
The provincial education assessor, Francesca Gerosa, told schools to review planned activities and check that they meet the law’s requirements.
She said this review should allow existing health service projects to be confirmed, and that their scientific value was not in question.
The health service is discussing how to continue the sessions with the provincial education department, while opposition politician Paolo Zanella criticised the suspension.
The dates already arranged are on hold for now, and the health service says it hopes to schedule the sessions again as soon as possible.
Trentino’s health service has temporarily suspended sex and relationship education sessions planned for local secondary schools.
The sessions are part of the “Conoscere il consultorio” project and were to be delivered by midwives from family health centres.
The suspension follows guidance from provincial education councillor Francesca Gerosa on a new law requiring advance parental consent for such activities.
The health service says it is discussing how to follow the law and hopes to reschedule the sessions as soon as possible.
Democratic Party provincial councillor Paolo Zanella criticised the suspension, while Gerosa said the projects could proceed after schools review them.
- Who
- The Trentino health service (Asuit) suspended the sessions; the affected schools are secondary schools that had signed up.
- What
- Sessions in the “Conoscere il consultorio” sex and relationship education project were temporarily suspended.
- When
- The suspension was reported on October 11, 2026. The sessions are suspended pending clear, shared guidance.
- Where
- Trentino, Italy.
- Why
- A new law requires advance parental consent for the activities, and the health service and provincial education department are discussing how to apply it.
Francesca Gerosa and the provincial administration
Paolo Zanella and the Democratic Party
Parental consent
Francesca Gerosa and the provincial administration
Gerosa said schools must review planned activities and ensure they meet the law’s requirements before school bodies decide whether to confirm or change them.
Paolo Zanella and the Democratic Party
Zanella argued that requiring family consent for these subjects restricts education on relationships and sexuality.
Suspension of sessions
Francesca Gerosa and the provincial administration
Gerosa said the Asuit projects could be confirmed and that their professional and scientific standing had not been questioned.
Paolo Zanella and the Democratic Party
Zanella condemned the suspension, saying it obstructed early action to prevent gender-based violence.
We are sincerely sorry
The projects will not be affected in any way in their implementation
This is an inquisition in the style of Brothers of Italy
The provincial education councillor sent operational guidance to schools and the health service.
Asuit suspended all dates already agreed with family health centre midwives.
- Project
- Conoscere il consultorio
- Provider
- Trentino health service (Asuit)
- Affected schools
- Secondary schools in Trentino that had signed up
- Consent requirement
- Advance parental consent
- Provincial education councillor
- Francesca Gerosa
Sources
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