The achievement gap between our students and their peers in other countries has narrowed but remains wide, and it is particularly large in the South. The school system must reward academic merit and diligence. It must guarantee a satisfactory level of education to all students, irrespective of their social background and geographical origin.
Our university system, despite some notable exceptions, is still far from the standards of quality prevailing in most of the advanced countries. Our research institutions are unable to attract talented scholars, technicians and managers, Italian and not, in sufficient numbers. Recognition of merit is one of the central principles of the reform of the university system just approved.