“The school community is a fundamental resource for the future of our national community. It is an indispensable vehicle for the social interaction of children and young adults that is all the more significant following the pandemic lockdown.” The concept was emphasized yesterday by Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the celebration for the 150^th anniversary of the birth of Maria Montessori, an example that calls upon us to “efficiently face the challenge during this difficult period.”

Today, make-up exam courses begin for students, both in presence and (for second degree schools) with distance courses, depending on the schools.

“We are all working together to ready our schools for students. The country will be proud. We have an important historical responsibility. It will be a difficult year, but also the beginning of a new mode. We will have resources from Europe to build tomorrow’s school, building on what we have learnt during the past months. We have ideas and the courage to develop them,” writes Education Minister Lucia Azzolina in a letter to teachers, school administrators and all school personnel just before schools reopen.

Happy new school year!