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Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
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The Italian State Omnicomprensivo School of Addis Ababa began in 1954 as a primary school to serve the then-large Italian community in the capital. It later added a middle school and, in the 1960s, the Technical Institute for Geometers. As the number of Italians residing in Addis Ababa declined, Italian-speaking students became fewer while Ethiopian students increased. The kindergarten, now paritarian, plays an important role in preparing children for compulsory schooling. On September 1, 2011, the three levels of schooling—primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary—formed the Italian State Omnicomprensivo, which also includes the paritarian kindergarten, enabling a national Italian curriculum from kindergarten through the end of secondary school with continuity in teaching methods.
The three school buildings have been in use at the current site since the mid-1970s and are part of a campus that includes the Italian Institute of Culture. The population has shifted toward Ethiopian students, with Amharic language and culture integrated into the curriculum: Amharic L2 in primary; mandatory Amharic language and culture in secondary; non-Ethiopian students study Amharic L2, French in lower secondary, and upper secondary focuses on individual or guided study. Since September 1, 2011, the three levels form the Istituto Statale Italiano Omnicomprensivo, which also includes the paritarian kindergarten, enabling a national Italian curriculum from kindergarten through the state exam with continuity in teaching methods. The school runs mandatory projects in safety and student support, and includes inclusion initiatives to assist students with learning needs.
Istituto Statale Italiano Omnicomprensivo di Addis Abeba is an Italian state school operating abroad that provides continuity of education from kindergarten through upper secondary within the Italian system. Established in Addis Ababa, it forms part of the Italian cultural presence in Ethiopia and shares a campus complex with the Italian Institute of Culture. Three purpose-built buildings host primary, lower and upper secondary sections, enabling coherent progression across all levels. The school implements the Italian national curriculum at all stages, with a paritarian kindergarten and curriculum features that include Italian, English and Amharic L2 for eligible students, plus broad core timetable and cross-curricular Education Civica integrated through upper secondary. In upper secondary, students may pursue tracks such as Liceo delle Scienze Umane Sperimentale and Istituto tecnico Costruzioni, Ambiente e Territorio, with Istituto tecnico Informatica e Telecomunicazioni introduced in 2024/25. Laboratories, sport facilities and specialist labs support practical study across the campus.
