Italy is studying the conditions for resuming the next school year in September

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By: Anne Le Nir Follow

Italy, badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic which has killed more than 34,600 people, to date, is one of the few countries in Europe not to have reopened schools closed since March 5. Finally, the government officially set June 26 as the start of the school year. It will be September 14. But under what conditions ? Our correspondent in Rome followed one of the 60 events organized at national level by the "Priority to School" Committee. She met teachers, school leaders, but also children, who were very concerned.

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In Rome, it was on San Silvestro Square, a stone's throw from the seat of the Presidency of the Council, that the demonstrators gathered to express their doubts about the government's capacity to allow the eight million students to find , finally, their teachers in the flesh.

Especially since the distance school has not really worked: 42% of families in the southern regions, and 30% in the rest of the country, are not equipped with a computer. This has widened social inequalities, notes Valentina Canavalle, history-geography teacher. “ The weakest have been excluded. Those who could not participate. But also those who participated and who live in an unfavorable socio-economic context. They were present but it is as if they were absent ”.

For back to school, face-to-face teaching will be privileged. But online courses will be partially continued for high school students. A physical distance of one meter must be respected between each student. And, due to lack of space, at least 15% of those in primary and secondary schools will have to take lessons outside their school. But where and how?

Let us listen to the Minister of Education, Lucia Azzolina. “ The school needs more space. First of all, we have to work on the existing buildings. But we will also organize lessons outside the school. In museums, libraries, cinemas, theaters… ”

For the various investments and the recruitment, under fixed-term contracts, of 50,000 teachers and nursery assistants, the government will release one billion euros which will be added to the four billion provided for in the country's recovery plans.

But it is not enough to recruit the 124,000 new teachers needed. Nor to otherwise organize the school face-to-face. Renata Puleo, school leader. “  The school is in a very serious situation. The directors of the establishments are relieved of the organization of timetables, classrooms and didactics. Unfortunately, in more than three months, nothing has been done  ”.

And that worries even children, like 11-year-old Paolo: “  I don't know if we'll be back in class in September, there are still too many uncertainties. It makes me sad because we realized how beautiful the school is! "

There is little time left to organize the return to school "  in maximum security  " promises Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

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• Italy
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