Arezzo, 15 June 2024 – «Failure of the Municipal Administration of Arezzo in the Management of Nursery Schools: A Disaster Foretold», the note by Valentina Vaccari-Donella Mattesini, PD municipal councilor.
«The recent publication of the provisional ranking for children born between 10 September 2023 and 9 June 2024, who aspire to a place in municipal nursery schools or accredited private ones for the 2024/2025 school year, is yet another demonstration of the inability of the Municipal Administration of Arezzo to respond to the fundamental needs of families.
The numbers are merciless: out of 170 applications submitted, only 65 children will find a place in the available facilities. This means that as many as 105 children will remain outside, leaving as many families in an extremely difficult situation. It is a scandal that in a city like Arezzo, the administration is unable to provide essential services such as nursery, which are fundamental for the well-being of families and for the balanced growth of children.
Already last year, 89 children were left out. New services must be opened, because even if there is a decline in the birth rate, the demand has increased for multiple reasons, starting from the awareness of the importance of growing up together with other children.
The current administration had promised greater attention to families and an increase in children’s services with the establishment of the Community Foundation. However, the reality shows exactly the opposite and families are left without services, at the mercy of inefficient and short-sighted management.
The consequences of this shortage of places are dramatic. Parents find themselves forced to jump through hoops to balance work and caring for their children. Many will be forced to reduce working hours or give up entirely, with a devastating impact on family finances and psychological well-being. Without adequate support, the load of stress and worries increases, negatively affecting the quality of life.
This situation highlights the total lack of planning on the part of the municipal administration. It is unacceptable that, in a historical period in which the decline in births is a well-known problem, the Municipality is unable to provide adequate services to encourage young couples to have children. Without sufficient childcare, how can we expect to build a prosperous and sustainable community?
It’s time for the municipal administration to wake up from its torpor and take note of its responsibilities. An extraordinary plan is needed to create new nursery schools and increase the places available in existing structures. It is no longer the time for empty promises, but for concrete actions. Arezzo families deserve more, they deserve an administration that puts their well-being and that of their children first.
We therefore ask that new municipal nursery services be opened and that law no. be implemented. 65/2017 which also provides for the activation of other types of services. This Administration has the resources, but not the will and political culture to put the well-being of minors and their families at the center of educational and social policies.
