Milan’s Tenca High School Occupied by Students Protesting Dilapidated Conditions
Milan, February 26, 2026 – Students at the Liceo Tenca, located on Bastioni di Porta Volta in Milan, have initiated a peaceful occupation of their school building to draw attention to severe structural issues and substandard conditions. The protest, which commenced on Thursday, February 26, 2026, highlights concerns over leaking ceilings, mold-ridden walls, and inadequate amenities.
The decision to occupy the school follows what students describe as a series of unaddressed or partially resolved problems that have plagued the institution. According to student representatives, the building is suffering from significant structural deficiencies, creating an environment that is not conducive to learning.
Why the School Was Occupied: A Litany of Structural Problems
The primary grievances cited by the students include:
- Water Infiltrations: Leaking ceilings and water seeping through walls, necessitating the placement of buckets in corridors to collect dripping water.
- Mold and Deterioration: Widespread mold growth and peeling paint on walls, indicating poor maintenance and potential health hazards.
- Inadequate Restrooms: Bathrooms are described as insufficient and lacking essential supplies, contributing to an unsanitary environment.
- Delayed and Ineffective Repairs: Students report that interventions to address these issues have been either tardy or incomplete, failing to provide lasting solutions.
These conditions, students argue, underscore a systemic neglect of the school’s infrastructure, impacting their daily educational experience.
Student Proposals for Improvement
Beyond merely highlighting the problems, the students have put forward a comprehensive set of proposals aimed at resolving the current crisis and preventing future deterioration. Their demands include:
- Improved Organization: A call for better administrative organization to streamline maintenance processes.
- Reduced Waiting Times: Expedited response times for addressing structural issues, possibly through delegating responsibilities more efficiently.
- Prompt Interventions: Immediate and effective action on identified problems, rather than delayed or superficial repairs.
- Real Renovations: A plea for genuine, comprehensive structural renovations of the building to ensure its long-term integrity and safety.
These proposals reflect the students’ desire for a proactive and sustainable approach to school maintenance and facility management.
Official Response and Future Actions
As of Thursday morning, there has been no immediate official statement from the school administration or local education authorities regarding the occupation. The students have emphasized that their protest is peaceful and intended solely to bring public and institutional attention to their plight.
The situation at Liceo Tenca is not an isolated incident, with similar reports of dilapidated school infrastructure emerging from other parts of Italy. This occupation serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by educational institutions in maintaining suitable learning environments.
The students have indicated their intention to continue the occupation until their demands are acknowledged and concrete steps toward resolving the structural issues are committed to by the relevant authorities. The duration and further actions of the protest will depend on the response from school and municipal officials.
