From problem to opportunity

In recent months we have found ourselves experiencing an emergency that we could not even imagine. In every area it was necessary to find possible solutions to address it. The need to respond quickly did not make the actions perfect, but it is admirable to observe how many have tried their best to react in the best possible way at that moment.

In the news, the most important headlines have always been those reserved for the health sector: there was talk of a struggle to save as many human lives as possible, to block such a violent spread of an invisible enemy. But at the same time, other battles were being fought, more quietly but no less importantly: the school and the students are among the many wounded of this time. The damage, even if it cannot be easily measured in a tangible and objective way, can be perceived by the thoughts and behaviors of children: who at the end of the day bursts into inconsolable tears, who gets angry more easily, who is afraid to leave the house again , who in front of distance learning confides to their mother "I'm not made to do home schooling". This clearly tells us that we are not made to live in isolation, that a screen will never replace a classroom, that school is meeting, dialogue, relationship, physical contact, looks and smiles.

No educator or teacher could choose whether to stay at home or not, but everyone had the opportunity to choose whether to get involved fully and try to face a challenge, for the good of the little ones. So it was nice to discover how creativity, the passion for one's work, the love for the people who are called to accompany in their growth, were the engine that generated significant experiences in a dark moment. In an institute in Turin, some high school students have created an on-line didactic game on history for middle school kids, others from home have tried their hand at updating Boccaccio's Decameron today. A technical institute proposed Aristotle's philosophy to address the theme of freedom in a period in which it seemed to fail. Some primary school teachers did not care so much about the programs, but about the emotional state of the children, and introduced a new subject called “happy thoughts”, proposing to each child to find the beautiful thing experienced in the day; a way to fight sadness.

We thank all those in school who have sought new ways to transform a problem into an opportunity. Nobody wants to extend distance learning because the fundamental aspect of school is relationships, but this experience has certainly brought out potential and new tools that can enrich school proposals in the future.

Valentina Turinetto
NP june - july 2020