«Our Schools»*. The work of the Association of Southern Italy against illiteracy in Basilicata (1921-1928)

Following the suggestions of my former contribution on school regionalism in the editorial tool of the School Board of Basilicata, and of the previous study on regional education books introduced after Gentile’s reform, towards the strengthening of a national idea of education, an in-depth analysis of the schooling processes that interested Southern Italy around the 1920s is hereby proposed. By drawing upon material from new archival sources, such as the correspondence of the Regional Director of the Association against Illiteracy in Basilicata, Domiziano Viola, this contribution wants to offer a renewed consideration of the role played by non-classified schools and teaching practises that were diffused by the National Association for the Interests of Southern Italy (1910-1928), with «admirable and fruitful work», in spite of the gap between urban and rural Italy. In that very period, indeed, «[…] associations and state initiatives succeeded in finding a meeting point to face unwaveringly» (Scotellaro) the issue of education in Southern Italy. E