Over the course of seven years, Istituto comprensivo Sperone-Pertini in Palermo has reduced the school dropout rate from 27% to 3%, "thanks to a continuous, extensive and multidimensional effort,” explains school administrator Antonella Di Bartolo.
The Headmistress points out that the school serves the neighbourhoods of Sperone and Brancaccio in Palermo, the same area where Father Pino Puglisi worked. Now, “I’m afraid we will have to almost start all over again. Thanks to the cafeteria service, which is operative at both branches, many students are able to enjoy a balanced meal at home. Are they still eating healthily? Our school is the only local agency fighting educational poverty. And every lost opportunity will result in fewer competences.
It’s a fact that not all of our students have the same devices and opportunities to connect. How can we leave no one behind?
And I’m not just thinking about the “psychological endurance” of the children, but that of adults, too. People were shell-shocked after the world wars; I believe they will be virus-shocked at the end of this experience.
“I don’t love always being the one to draw attention to negative issues, but I believe that it is always important to expose both the pros and cons of everything. Even if it’s something portrayed as the panacea to all evils! It’s not just to be critical, but to analyse and govern complexity.”
Let’s listen to Head Mistress Di Bartolo. Her point of view is the crucial challenge for all those working for an inclusive, quality and democratic school; notwithstanding, distance learning.
