This 1934-35 school report cover is indicative of Fascist Italy's emphasis on politically influencing citizens from a young age. Whether this strategy worked or not is debatable. What is apparent, however, is that the symbolism displayed on the school report shown here - and on the other reports and documents on this website - is typical fascist imagery. Why was there the need to place a column with "Mussolini Dux" written on it on the front cover of schoolchildren's reports? A rather heavy-handed approach at representing the colossal, powerful and ever-watchful presence of the fascist state (the column) embodied by Mussolini (the inscription)? Or did the Ministry of National Education feel compelled to make sure it was seen as toeing a "fascist" educational line? Again, this can be debated. Both interpretations are probably true to some extent - the Ministry did need to present itself as a "fascist" part of the administration. The imagery, on the other hand, can be seen as fascist self-representation, a way to convey to the new generations what the fascist state wanted to be understood as.
