At the level of the central and peripheral administration, quality control of the education and training system is carried out by the inspection corps of the Ministry of education and merit, consisting of technical managers.
The technical managers perform their technical-inspection function in the following areas:
- Support for planning and support for training processes,
- Support for the evaluation and self-assessment process,
- Technical-didactic-pedagogical support,
- Technical-scientific support for the themes and processes defined by the administration (Ministry),
- Inspection assessments.
In particular, the support function for the assessment and self-assessment process takes place within the National system for the evaluation of the education and training system (SNV) which involves, in addition to the inspection body, the National institute for the evaluation of the education system (Invalsi) and the National Institute for documentation, innovation and educational research (Indire). Within the SNV, technical managers are in charge of evaluating schools, in terms of identifying any management problems and improvement strategies. They may also be among those involved in the evaluation of school leaders.
Exceptionally, technical managers may be called upon to assess the teacher at the initiative of the school administration in the context of disciplinary proceedings or proceedings for dismissal for inability or persistent poor performance.
Source: Ministero dell’istruzione, DM 41/2022.
Requirements for appointment
Access to the inspection role is by means of a competition based on qualifications and examinations. School managers and teaching and educational staff of state institutions who have passed the probationary period and have at least ten years of service can access the competition. To be admitted to the competition, it is also necessary to hold a second-level higher education qualification obtained at a university or AFAM institution.
In the event of many applications, it is also necessary to pass a pre-selection test conducted by means of a series of multiple-choice questions.
The examinations consist of two written and one oral test. The first written test consists of seven open-ended questions that ascertain the candidates' cultural preparation. This test is awarded a mark between 0 and 70 points.
The second written test consists of the resolution of a practical case relating to the performance of the function of technical manager. Those who have obtained a minimum score of 49 points in the first written test will be admitted to the second written test. The second written test is awarded a mark between 0 and 70 points.
The oral test consists of an interview to ascertain the cultural knowledge and skills required to perform the function of technical manager. Candidates who have scored no less than 49 points in the second written test are admitted to the oral test. The oral test is awarded between 0 and 60 points and is passed with a minimum of 42 points.
The assessment of qualifications takes place after the oral test has been passed and the final mark for the competition is the sum of the marks obtained in the three tests and the assessment of qualifications.
Those who pass the competition are placed on a merit list.
Source: Ministero dell’istruzione e del merito, DM 109/2024.
Conditions of service
Technical managers of the Ministry have the same conditions of service of state administration managers, regulated by legislation and by the relevant National labour contract.
Technical managers’ sign an individual contract that must contain the starting date of the employment relationship, the status and the basic salary, the working place and the duration of the probationary period. The probationary period lasts 6 months and it is not renewable nor extendable.
The manager organises his/her working times and activities autonomously.
Managers with permanent a contract receive a specific appointment for a fixed period of 3 to 5 years. Managers can be confirmed in the same office or can be removed beforehand but only in case of organisational and managerial motivated reasons.
Managers are evaluated every year and at the end of their appointment for confirmation or to assign them to another office.
Managers have the right to paid leave for holidays and national festivities, for marriage, mourning or for serious personal or family reasons, as well as to unpaid leave for personal or family reasons. To managers apply also regulations on maternity and paternity leave and on participation to exams, competitions, seminars, etc.
The employment relationship ceases at reaching the maximum age or length of service, for the manager’s resignation or dismissal, upon agreement between the manager and the administration, death or loss of citizenship.
Managers’ salary is made up of a fixed and a variable amount. The fixed amount is made up of the gross annual basic salary (€ 47 015,77), the fixed additional salary (€ 13 345,11) and the variable salary, which includes the result-based salary.
Contents revised: April 2025