School reopening dates varies from region to region.

Around seven million students in Italy are returning to the classroom as schools across the country reopen after the summer holidays, on dates between 5 and 16 September.

The reopening date of Italy's schools varies according to region, with the autonomous provinces of Bolzano and Trento the first to reopen, on 5 and 9 September respectively.

Schools opened in Piemonte, Marche, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Umbria, Veneto and Valle d'Aosta on 11 September, while students in Lombardy, Molise, Sardinia, Sicily and Campania returned to the classroom on 12 September.

The last regions to reopen schools, on 16 September, are: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Liguria, Puglia and Tuscany.

Earlier this month Consumer watchdog Codacons called on Italy's education ministry to "begin to implement preventive action" to defend students and teachers from the future effects of climate change and heat waves, stating that "only six out of 100" schools have air conditioning.

The new academic year brings with it new rules prohibiting the use of smartphones from primary level up to scuola media, or junior high school, "including for educational purposes".

Tablets and computers will still be allowed but must be used under the guidance of teachers, according to the new regulations.

Photo credit: Stefano Guidi / Shutterstock.com.