(ANS – Naples) – In recent weeks, Don Bosco House in Naples hosted the National Assembly of the Salesian Association for Schools (CNOS-Scuola). The event brought together around 70 key leaders, including Rectors of Salesian houses, principals, and assistant principals, and was guided by an ambitious objective: overcoming current local fragmentation in order to create a more coordinated and recognizable national school system.
Centered on the theme “Analysis and Quality: Evaluating the Education System,” the two-day gathering, held May 8–9, 2026, focused on the need to foster a strong culture of self-evaluation and continuous improvement. Sessions encouraged participants to reflect on how to express and highlight the Salesian identity and charism within the strategic and technical documents required by the Italian Ministry of Education, such as the Self-Evaluation Report (RAV), the Three-Year Educational Plan (PTOF), and the Social Report.
The program alternated between plenary sessions and group workshops. A particularly significant formation session was led by Damiano Previtali, President of the CSPI, who guided participants through an exploration of new frontiers in education, ranging from the integration of transversal and non-cognitive skills to the latest tools for personalizing learning pathways.
The overall picture that emerged was that of a Salesian school system undergoing profound transformation, supported by an educational community now composed primarily of lay educators.
A key moment of the Assembly was the presentation and discussion of the policy document “Visions of the Future,” which outlines the strategic directions for the coming years. The Association’s central objective will be to move beyond current local fragmentation and build a national school system that is increasingly coordinated and recognizable.
This systemic vision is based on four pillars:
- excellence in educational quality;
- the promotion of a clear and measurable charismatic identity;
- operational collaboration among the different entities within the network;
- and strong institutional representation in both civil and ecclesial settings, in Italy and throughout Europe.
To make these objectives concrete, the Assembly identified several short- and medium-term priorities. Among the most urgent are investments in the ongoing formation of all staff members and the pursuit of greater financial sustainability.
Special attention was given to the need to avoid reducing Salesian identity to a mere “slogan.” Instead, participants emphasized the importance of translating it into the technical language required by the Ministry and, above all, into “observable minimum practices” within every school, such as a welcoming environment, effective enrollment interview procedures, and the application of the Preventive System in assessment practices.
Finally, “Visions of the Future” outlines a new direction for communication. Schools are being encouraged to adopt a more proactive mindset and to cultivate a modern and intentional public presence. To support this shift, new educational research projects will be promoted in order to demonstrate the added value of the Salesian model, and a digital archive will be developed to share best practices among all schools in the network.
In summary, the National Assembly in Naples presented the portrait of a Salesian school system fully aware of the challenges of modern society, while remaining firmly rooted in its historic mission: ensuring the integral well-being of young people and continuing to be a welcoming “home” for those who seek growth through education.
Source: Don Bosco Italia