Naples: Alberti High School Students and Parents Protest Class Relocation to Fuorigrotta
Naples, February 26 – The decision by the Metropolitan City of Naples to relocate 960 students from the Leon Battista Alberti high school in Arenella to the Vittorio Emanuele II school in Fuorigrotta has sparked significant protests from families and teachers. The move, necessitated by structural issues at the Alberti campus, has been met with strong opposition due to the considerable travel time and inconvenient class schedules.
The Leon Battista Alberti high school, located on Via Pigna, has been deemed unsafe after an evacuation staircase detached from a wall. Currently, only the ground floor, accommodating 250 students, is in use, leading to a rotational attendance schedule of two days a week for students. The Metropolitan City’s solution involves moving the remaining students to the Vittorio Emanuele II school on Via Barbagallo in Fuorigrotta. This alternative, however, would require students, predominantly living near the Alberti institute, to commute for 50-60 minutes by bus and attend classes from 3 PM to 8 PM.
Parents had initially proposed integrated digital learning (DID) or relocating classes to other schools within the Arenella district that had expressed willingness to accommodate students. These suggestions were reportedly disregarded by the Metropolitan City.
Delayed Reopening and Mounting Frustration
The principal of Alberti High School, Silvia Parigi, informed the president of the V Municipality, Clementina Cozzolino, and the Prefect of Naples, Michele di Bari, that the repair works at the Via Pigna campus, initially slated for completion by February 28, have been postponed. The reopening date was first pushed to March 7 and then, according to the principal, “presumably” delayed by another month. This continuous postponement has intensified the frustration among the school community.
Following a peaceful demonstration on February 17, parents are now preparing for a “much less serene” protest. “We will hold another demonstration, but this time it will be less calm,” families announced, highlighting their growing anger over the situation.
Transportation Woes and Teacher Opposition
Principal Parigi also revealed that the Metropolitan City had initially communicated the activation of a shuttle service, only to later ask the ANM (Azienda Napoletana Mobilità) to extend existing bus lines. However, the principal emphasized that “no existing line connects Via Pigna with Via Barbagallo,” leaving students without a direct and efficient transportation option.
Teachers are also rejecting the Metropolitan City’s solution. During a faculty meeting on Thursday morning, the vast majority of teachers were reportedly ready to vote in favor of distance learning, further underscoring the widespread dissatisfaction with the proposed arrangements.
The unfolding situation at the Leon Battista Alberti high school highlights the challenges faced by educational institutions in Naples regarding infrastructure and student welfare. As the reopening date remains uncertain and protests escalate, the school community awaits a more viable and student-friendly solution from the authorities.
Source: https://napoli.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_febbraio_25/lezioni-del-liceo-alberti-spostate-a-fuorigrotta-scatta-la-protesta-b03bc3c2-8e6d-461f-84a9-b9c7d4c2bxlk.shtml
