Shortly after finding out he had failed, a minor student brutally attacked his mathematics teacher: he ran into him in the school corridors and kicked and punched him, even headbutting him. Then he fled, before being identified by the police who are currently investigating to accurately reconstruct the dynamics of what happened, also listening to some of those present at the attack. The teacher was hospitalized. It happened at the “Leonardo da Vinci” technical and economic institute in Milazzo (Messina), on the afternoon of Tuesday 11 June. The principal, Stefania Scolaro, was forced to call the police and a 118 ambulance.
After the end-of-year ballots, the school summoned the boy’s parents to inform them of his non-admission to the next class, as always happens by law, even though the parents are constantly updated throughout the year on their children’s academic progress. . The young man’s mother and father took note of their son’s failure, accepting the verdict calmly, and left the institute. The failing student, however, then entered the school and attacked his mathematics teacher, beating him.
“From what I was told, the boy suddenly arrived, went up to the first floor and attacked the teacher who even hit his head when he fell – said the director of the institute -. It’s a very unpleasant episode and condemn. And we are very sorry. Also because we have always sought constructive discussion, both with families and with students.” As mentioned, the police and 118 rescuers intervened on the spot. The professor was transported to the Giuseppe Fogliani city hospital for the necessary checks.
Ordinary violence against teachers at school
Stories, unfortunately, of ordinary school violence against teachers. Physical and verbal attacks, beatings, insults to teachers and principals are constantly increasing. And it is estimated that at least 50% of the episodes, often filmed and then posted on social media, are not even reported. The data speak of 36 cases in our country in the last school year and at least another thirty from September to today. That means more than one case a week.
The Sicilian regional school office reported this latest case to the Ministry of Education. Furthermore, the director Giuseppe Pierro announced his intention to urgently convene a meeting with representatives of the parents’ associations. “There is no doubt that we are witnessing a deterioration in the relationship between school and family – explained the regional school office in a note -. This is demonstrated by the increase in attacks by parents against teachers. The latest case in Sicily , in chronological order, happened in Milazzo a few days ago. I have already expressed my closeness and solidarity to the two teachers attacked by one of their students – said Pierro, also referring to the episode of a teacher being slapped by a student. student for a note about an unjustified absence in a high school in Palermo -. In the evaluation of these cases, which also deserve the right attention and the search for the reasons that lead students or their parents to carry out such instinctive actions, the risk is that we tend to justify such deplorable acts by citing reasons that are not acceptable in a civil society”.
“Under no circumstances can physical or verbal aggression be tolerated. It is important to understand that the school is the State and whoever attacks the school, be it represented by the headmaster, teachers and other staff serving the institution , offends the State. The regional school office for Sicily is reporting all cases to the Ministry of Education so that those attacked can be guaranteed the support they deserve, as provided for by the recently adopted rules”.
The Minister of Education Giuseppe Valditara has announced a harsh crackdown on those who commit violence at school, from prison for the attackers to compensation for damages for the victims. Will it be enough?
