Italian School of Asmara
| Italian School of Asmara Scuola Italiana di Asmara | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
|
Asmara Eritrea | |
| Information | |
| School type | Private with Montessori department |
| Established | 1903 |
| Enrolment | 550 (2015) |
| Medium of language | Italian |
| Website | http://www.scuoleasmara.it |
The Italian School of Asmara (Italian: Scuola Italiana di Asmara) is an Italian-language school located in Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea.
History
In 1903, two Italian schools were founded, each with an Italian instructor, to serve the growing Italian colonial population, in Asmara and Keren.[1] The school in Keren later closed. It originally served only preschool and grades one to five, but in 1957 added a Montessori school, which served ages three to five.[2] In 1975, the school ceased most operations due to the breakout of the Eritrean War of Independence, and most of the Italian community left.[2] By 1990, the Montessori school grew to 3 teachers and 4 classes.[2] In 2000, Italy recognized the school, arranging an agreement that the school be accessible to all temporary expatriate families for low cost.[1] Today, 550 students attend the school.[1]
Demographics
When the school was founded in 1903 it almost wholly served the children of Italian nationals. Following World War II, the number of native Eritrean students steadily increased.[1] In the 1956-57 school year, Eritrean students made up 17% of the student body, with Italians making up 83%.[1] In the present day, native students represent 84% of the school, Italians or other Europeans 14%, and children of temporary expat workers, as per the Italian agreement with the school, make up 2%.[1] The Montessori school is 80% Eritrean and 20% Italian or other European.[2]