The reopening of the school after the long stop and the holidays it continues to worry virologists and administrators. The Government's decision to reopen elementary and middle schools on 7 January and high schools on 11 January did not convince the Regions at all which, as per tradition, decided to proceed in no particular order, worried about the possible increase in infections from Covid-19 in a period in which the curve is dangerously rising again.
“There cannot be a political battle over school – said the minister, Lucia Azzolina – School must be in everyone's interest, majority and opposition. Italy must go back to being a country for young people”.
Despite the reassuring words, however, with the sound of ordinances, the Regions have chosen to proceed on their own, in some cases postponing the start of face-to-face lessons by up to 20 days. So here, the reopening calendar, region by region.
WHO STARTED ON JANUARY 7
The bell rang this morning for all the students of Trentino Alto Adige. Schools reopened for infants, elementary and middle schools also reopened in Abruzzo, Basilicata, Piedmont, Lombardy, Valle d'Aosta, Sardinia, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Marche, Molise Tuscany, Liguria, Emilia Romagna, Umbria.
THE CALENDAR REGION BY REGION
In Abruzzo high schools will reopen their doors on Monday 11 January, but only for 50% of students for whom staggered admissions are also provided. From 16 January, face-to-face teaching will rise to 16%.
In Basilicata face-to-face school has restarted for the youngest students, with the exception of the students of Matera who will resume on 10 January. On high school, the Region should align with the government's directives and establish the restart for January 11, even if official communications are awaited. The hypothesis of postponing face-to-face teaching to next January 31st has not yet been ruled out.
The region Calabria has decided to extend distance learning for elementary schools until 15 January. High school will reopen on January 31st. Kindergartens open.
In Campania Kindergarten, first and second grade pupils will return to school on 11 January. Third, fourth and fifth grade students are expected to return on January 18, while first and second grade secondary school students will return to school from January 25.
THEEmilia Romagna respect the calendar set up by the Government: the youngest students returned today, those from high schools will leave on the 11th (again at 50%).
In Friuli Venezia Giulia, Governor Massimo Fedriga has decided to postpone the opening of high schools to January 31st.
In Lazio, Liguria and Lombardy elementary and middle school began face-to-face teaching on January 7, high school will start on 11 at 50%.
in Marche high school students will continue with distance learning until January 31st.
Molise: elementary and middle school started again on January 7th. High school students will return to class with 50% teaching on January 11th and 75% on January 16th.
Piemonte: The return to class of high school students has been postponed to January 18.
Puglia: Governor Emiliano has decided that schools of all levels will remain closed until January 15th.
Sardinia: Elementary and middle school students started again on January 7, while distance learning for high school students will continue until January 31.
In Sicilia, due to the new surge in infections from Covid-19, last-minute changes could arrive. Today, 7 January, kindergartens have restarted face-to-face teaching, while elementary and middle schools should start again tomorrow, Friday 8 January and high schools should reopen on 11 January. For the latter, however, the return to school could be postponed to early February.
La Toscana has decided to respect the dates indicated by the Government, bringing students back to school from 7 (elementary and middle school) to 11 January (high school).
In Trentino Alto Adige school students of all levels returned to school today, but a 50% limit is set for high schools.
Also Umbria and Valle d'Aosta respect the national indications, while in Veneto Governor Luca Zaia signed an ordinance postponing the reopening of high schools after January 31st.
