Serological test for teachers: ‘There is no time, we do it at our expense’

There are two weeks left until the resumption of lessons and the controversy over serological tests for school personnel intensifies. And in swabs and tests you can navigate at first glance: many family doctors have not joined the initiative promoted by the Ministry of Education and the Scientific Technical Committee and some teachers and school directors, through a reservation email, they have contacted the ‘Asp. But there are no certainties about the timing of the administration.

Today the schools will be held at the beginning of the year and tomorrow the graduates with one or more deficiencies will be presented to the school. Thus, teachers and principals who do not want to put the health of their students at risk have preferred to pay for the exam out of their own pocket. “I did the test – says Donata Lo Bosco, teacher of the superior – type B, it cost me 19 euros. It was my decision not to wait because my doctor was on vacation. But as of September 1 I enter a new school and the university will take place in person, for reasons of conscience I wanted to be well and I preferred to take the exam first and for a fee. “

Maria Tornatore, a teacher at Cassarà, also did the serological test on her own, but at a cost of 35 euros. “I couldn’t wait any longer, it seemed right to do it right away because I go to school every day.” Tornatore is deputy director of linguistics at via Don Orione and is in full swing these days. While the rector of the institute, Daniela Crimi, preferred to pay the mattress, 50 euros: “I sent the reservation email to the ASP more than a week ago – explains the manager – and I have not received a response. Tomorrow the students will be in school and there is not much time left. I am privileged and I do not complain, because if I spend 50 euros I am sure I will not become impoverished, but I think of those who do not have the possibility of spending 50 euros or 20 for the serological test “.

In Sicily there are more than 95 thousand units of school personnel in service, 13 thousand only in the city of Palermo. But the test is not mandatory. And, on the student side, the idea launched by the National Association of Principals is gaining momentum, which proposes that parents sign a self-certification on the health conditions of their children before returning them to school. The measure involved in measuring the temperature at home does not seem sufficient. Although the pact of co-responsibility that families and schools will sign has no legal value. “In full respect of school autonomy – explains Matteo Croce, director of the human sciences baccalaureate, Danilo Dolci – we will proceed with the self-certification for the return to school. And, looking to the future, with the temperature measurement of everyone who enters the school. “

Fabio Passiglia, director of the Basile scientific institute, in Brancaccio, and Domenico Di Fatta, director of the Regina Margherita institute, are also in favor. But the ASP is not there and relaunches: “11,525 kits have already been distributed, of which 8,125 to general practitioners – they say from via Cusmano – Having received only 500 requests for the city of Palermo, to encourage the greatest possible adherence.” of the school staff, the ASP has organized two dedicated campers who will go to school every day from Wednesday ”.

Yesterday afternoon in the prefecture, in search of the disappeared classrooms, the mayors of the municipalities of the province and the representatives of the local schools met. In addition to the premises of the parishes, those of the parishes can be rented. But ministerial funds are expected.