Istat says girls are outperforming boys in Italian schools

Girls are outperforming boys in their studies at school, Italy's statistical agency Istat said Wednesday. In a report dedicated to school and education, Istat says that the 38.3% of female students surveyed were studying more than is required, compared to just under 25% of boys. In middle school, 35.4% of boys between 13 and 17 years were judged to have a sufficient school performance, 27.5% were good and 19.7% were judged to be distinguished. The survey was conducted between 2008 and 2011. Many more boys, particularly in secondary schools, must take extra classes to keep up - 32.7% compared with 26.3% of female students. In other data, the report noted that the number of foreign students in Italian classrooms rose between 2008 and 2011 to 59.3% from 54.8%. More foreign students were found in Italy's central and northern regions - more than 78% - while the remainder were in the south and on Italy's islands.