ESPM will accept Italian high school exam in entrance exam

ESPM, a higher education institution in São Paulo, will now accept in its selection process the so-called "Esame di Stato", a final exam for high school in Italy that leads to university in the European country. It is the first university in Brazil to accept the Italian diploma in its entrance exam.

The announcement was made by the Italian school Dante Alighieri, in São Paulo, responsible for the partnership.

The measure will be valid for ESPM's June selection process, which requires a minimum score of 75 in the "Esame di Stato" to guarantee a place on one of its courses.

In an interview with ANSA, Dante's institutional and technology director, Valdenice Minatel, pointed out the need for "equity" in the acceptance of an Italian exam in Brazilian private universities.

"They [universities] accept other types of diplomas, such as the [German] Abitur; the [French] BAC and even the Brazilian Enem. Why not an Italian one?", asked Minatel, the creator of the initiative.

The Diploma di Istruzione Secondaria di Secondo Grado (Disg), or "Esame di Stato", is an internationally accepted educational qualification available in schools in Italy or in Italian institutions abroad recognized by the government of the European country, such as Dante Alighieri, allowing its students to participate in selection processes at Italian universities and in any member state of the European Union.

According to Minatel, an "international curriculum" for high school completed in Brazil is "broader" than that offered by the national system because it covers "both at the same time", both foreign and Brazilian.

"They are different students", argues the director, highlighting some strong points of the Italian curriculum: "Valuing English; inclusion of art history; depth in mathematics".

"The school has to lead students beyond the world of work. It needs to lead them to the real world," concluded the educator.