There are still 243 vacant places in Church first-year primary schools for boys and 126 for girls, the Curia said. Another 69 post were available in boys’ third-year primary schools.

The Church explained the vacant places remained after giving preference to siblings, children of employees, those from schools without continuity, grievous humanitarian cases and refugees. It noted that this year saw the introduction of the grievous humanitarian cases criterion, applicable to children whose parents applied for asylum.