From Monday the bell will also ring in Alicudi, in the Aeolian Islands, the smallest school in Europe.
With 3-4 pupils and 5 teachers. The head teacher Mirella Fanti has postponed the lessons of seven days says "for the too much heat that is still there in the islands of the Aeolus archipelago". In Alicudi 100 inhabitants, without police and pharmacy, but with a thousand goats, sheep and rabbits scattered in the mountain, there are 256 steps to go through to reach the private house used for lessons located in the hills.
"I am very proud of this small school - explains the director Fanti who has the main school in Lipari - which I managed to keep open, despite the difficulties, thanks to the collaboration with families and teachers".
Chiara Torchia came from Calabria last year to teach the language field to the two middle school boys. He will come back this year because he says "I deliberately chose the smallest of the Aeolian Islands, it was a fantastic experience that enriched me a lot". The religion teacher Antonino Siracusa lives in Barcelona PG and has been teaching on the islands for some years: "I have four islands and I can guarantee my service because we have agreed a fortnightly schedule with the principal, that is on two islands every week. It is tiring and expensive. but very engaging ". The new teacher of religion in middle school is called Giuseppe Verardi and comes from Messina, this is his first year in the Islands and he comments as follows: "It is anew experience that I accepted as a professional and human challenge ". It will have five islands with fortnightly hours. The principal Fanti is waiting for the appointment of the teacher of the scientific field, of the teacher of childhood, primary and of the school collaborator but is confident because: "This year the appointments were made in a timely manner and I am confident in quick communications."