School and Covid, the push for postponement: “Without desks and teachers, the work is still to be finished. Unavoidable choice “

“An incandescent situation”: this is how Mario Rusconi, president of the Lazio Directors Association, describes it, who raised the alarm about the postponement of the inauguration.

How many schools have asked to postpone the return?
“Hundreds, the request is spread irregularly, I receive messages from all over Italy.”

Can it be done technically?
“Yes, invoking school autonomy, but always in synergy with the administrations. In Lazio it was decided that the municipalities will have to give the green light, following the collegiate decision of the school. But how do you do it in big cities, with the amount of work that has to be reopened? And then, in Rome, does the Capitol or the City Council decide? There are a thousand doubts ».

What are the reasons why some schools cannot open?
“Because there are no desks, there are no teachers, especially support teachers, the adaptation work has not been completed: the requests I receive are many, because the managers do not want to find themselves unprepared for the reopening, and they hope that at least after the 22 have a safety framework for students ”.

So far only 100,000 single-seat benches have been delivered, says the CGIL. This is heavy?
“Sure, but there is also another problem. There are institutes that are stacking the old benches in the open air, which will be soaked with the first rain. We asked the City of Rome to donate them to charities. Otherwise, they must be stored in a large warehouse. But if they stay out for days, it is detrimental to the community. Many in Rome are stacked near the thermohydraulic power plants, where the gas pipes pass. Can it be done full time? “According to one estimate, 25 percent of schools in Italy will have difficulties over long periods of time. It seems to me a “spannometric” statistic and also optimistic. The municipalities have to work with the contractors, otherwise the extended time will be difficult.

Are you pessimistic?
“Look, Covid has only highlighted the laziness and difficulties that we have known for at least 15 years. But I am moderately optimistic, because I believe in the abilities of managers, teachers, school employees.”