ROMA (ITALPRESS) – The central control section on the administrations of the Court of Auditors has approved the report on “The Institutions of Higher Education Artistic, Musical and Coreutical (AFAM): organization, operation and related tax deductions”, which examines the main organizational, financial and managerial profiles of the sector and the progress of the reform process. The picture emerged from the analysis is “above positive, characterized by significant advances also thanks to the interventions financed within the PNRR and the completion of the process of statization of 22 AFAM institutions. However, they remain critical that they require further regulatory, organizational and financial interventions.” The Court emphasised, in particular, the need to “strengthen transparency and homogeneity of the governance procedures of the institutions themselves, recommending the introduction of public comparative procedures for the appointment of presidents and the consolidation of research training by enhancing doctoral paths”.
On the financial level, the Court of Auditors points out “the strengthening of investments for AFAM institutions (especially for building and infrastructure operations), as well as the contribution of the resources of the PNRR to internationalization programs and doctoral paths, despite the permanence of significant investment needs, considering that 86% of the areas used need at least extraordinary maintenance”.
The “persistent” deficiencies of organic observed – particularly relevant in some professional profiles – also affect “on the regular conduct of institutional activities”. The Court therefore recommends “to give full implementation to the reform of the recruitment of teachers, evaluating the introduction of vocational progression mechanisms similar to university ones, in order to strengthen the merit and make more attractive career outlets”. In this context, the need to “complete the integration path of AFAM institutions in the higher education system, also through the strengthening of their financial autonomy and the evaluation of the effects deriving from the possible alignment of the economic treatments of the teaching staff to the university”.
Further need, notes the accounting judiciary, is to “develop monitoring tools of occupational outcomes of graduates and strengthen orientation activities, to increase the ability of the system to assess the effectiveness of training paths and their impact on the labour market”.
Finally, the Court recommends that “complete the reform process through the implementation of the measures still necessary in the field of governance, recruitment, financial autonomy, development of research and valorisation of infrastructure heritage, in order to promote the full inclusion of AFAM institutions in the system of higher education in areas in which Italy traditionally expresses internationally recognized levels of excellence”.
– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
