CPIA 1 Opens New Branch in Bari's Madonnella District: Education as a Tool for Social Integration
Questo articolo di Carlo Coppola si trova nella versione italiana al seguente link:
The Madonnella neighborhood in Bari has gained a valuable educational resource with the launch of a satellite campus of CPIA 1 Bari Alessandro Leogrande, housed within the premises of the "Balilla-Imbriani" Comprehensive Institute. The initiative, officially presented on September 25th, represents far more than a simple territorial expansion: it is the realization of an educational vision centered on inclusion and social integration.
The project emerged from a professional encounter between two visionary school principals, Laura Redavid of CPIA and Giuliana Deflorio of the Comprehensive Institute, who transformed an informal conversation into a concrete opportunity for the territory. Three years of quiet experimentation preceded the official launch in January 2025, demonstrating how authentic collaborations require time to mature and consolidate.
The presence of local institutions at the inaugural event confirmed the strategic importance of the initiative. Municipal councilor Vito Lacoppola emphasized that this is not simply the opening of a new teaching facility, but the creation of a space where the entire city is enhanced through social integration. District I President Annamaria Ferretti highlighted the fundamental role of community associations and the third sector in supporting these initiatives, while regional representative Maria Raffaella La Macchia framed the project within broader lifelong learning policies.
The educational offering is structured with flexibility that responds to the concrete needs of the territory. Italian language courses for foreign citizens, organized according to the A1 and A2 levels of the Common European Framework, are held both in the morning and afternoon at the Paripasso hub on Via Positano. Simultaneously, programs are provided for obtaining middle school diplomas and fulfilling compulsory education requirements, all aimed at citizens aged sixteen and above.
A particularly innovative element is the collaboration with APS Mama Happy Centro Servizi Famiglie Accoglienti, which creates a bridge between family needs and institutional structures. This partnership facilitates family reception in an informal manner, making services that might otherwise appear bureaucratically complex more accessible.
The educational philosophy permeating the initiative transcends mere delivery of academic content. As emphasized by coordinator Iginia Plantamura, it involves building an environment where learning knows no rigid temporal boundaries, where each person can find their own path regardless of their personal history. This approach proves particularly significant in a multiethnic, high-density residential context like Madonnella.
The project's most revolutionary element lies in the integration between early childhood education and adult instruction, creating an educational continuum that embraces all ages. This circular vision of education represents an unprecedented model of cross-contamination between traditionally separate sectors, opening interesting prospects for future experimentation.
The initiative's success testifies to the importance of inter-institutional synergy and active territorial engagement. The dedication of teachers and administrative staff, who for years have invested energy beyond normal service hours, demonstrates how educational passion can overcome administrative obstacles and create added value for the community.
In an era characterized by rapid social changes and significant migratory flows, the CPIA 1 branch in the Madonnella neighborhood stands as an integration laboratory where learning becomes a tool for personal emancipation and collective growth. The initiative concretely demonstrates how investment in local human capital can generate tangible opportunities for improving individual prospects and contribute to building a more equitable and inclusive society.
Carlo Coppola
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