In forty Italian squares, from north to south, initiatives, demonstrations and flash mobs were held to protest against low wages and widespread precariousness in the education sector.
The event, organized by Flc Cgil, involved school, universities, research, academies and conservatories.In Rome, protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Education, on Viale Trastevere, where a banner read: “Valditara “failed”.
“The facts, the numbers and the statements belie the rhetoric of Merit,” the protesters declared into a megaphone, referring to the name of the ministry, “of Education and Merit.”
Some participants, dressed in costume for Halloween, displayed ironic signs: a precarious teacher dressed as a witch carried a message that read: “Trick or treat. Only bad pranks in the maneuver. Cuts and freeze on turnover.”
According to the demonstrators, the day of protest is just the beginning, in view of the general strike scheduled for November 29. Also in the square were some opposition parliamentarians, such as Elisabetta Piccolotti (Avs), who declared: "The government doesn't care about education, that's why we are here". Irene Manzi (Pd) added that for the first time since 2008, 5.660 teachers and over 2.000 administrative positions will be cut.
Among the flags of the Flc Cgil, those of student associations such as Uds, Udu, Rete degli studenti medi, Link and one of Palestine stood out. Some protesters placed pumpkins on the steps of the ministry and showed off costumes of witches and dinosaurs. A sign showed the face of Minister Valditara on a meteorite heading towards the dinosaurs, a symbol of the “extinction” of public schools.
In other cities, the protest took on different connotations: in Udine, pensioners and workers demonstrated for the purchasing power of pensions and salaries and for greater investments in public health and assistance. In Palermo, a sit-in in front of the Prefecture highlighted salary emergencies, precarious employment, school sizing and differentiated autonomy.
A Napoli, the demonstration ended with a meeting between union representatives and the director of the Regional School Office. Numerous demonstrations were also held in Turin and Abruzzo. However, the first data on participation in the strike seem to be just over 3%.
Article published on 31 October 2024 - 19:21
