At the onset of maturity, I discarded 83, retaining only 60 instead.
**Student Protests Against School System Continue in Italy**
Two Italian students, Pietro Marconcini and Gian Maria Favaretto, have recently made headlines for their actions against what they perceive as unhealthy aspects of the school and university systems.
Marconcini, a student at the Plinio Seniore scientific high school in Rome, took the final state exam and scored an 83. However, he felt that the stress and anxiety caused by the school system had negatively impacted his mental well-being, leading him to request a reduction in his grade.
Similarly, Favaretto, a student at the Fermi high school in Padua, refused to take an oral exam during the maturità, citing opposition to the evaluation system and competition in schools. Despite this, he was promoted based on his excellent grades.
Their actions have sparked a wave of protests among students, with some refusing exams and writing letters to the Minister of Education, Giuseppe Valditara, advocating for changes to the school system.
Valditara has criticized the students' actions, accusing them of making fun of classmates and teachers. In response, he has announced changes to the exam system for next year, suggesting that the current form of protest will no longer be possible.
Marconcini's decision to prioritize mental well-being over grades could potentially result in a delay in graduating university. He had several failing grades in the past and worked hard to make them up, but sacrificed his mental well-being in the process.
Furthermore, Marconcini's experiences during high school are different from those of previous generations, given the unique challenges of living through the Covid-19 pandemic. This has led to a rise in youth distress and suicide rates among university graduates, which Marconcini's actions aim to address.
Marconcini's letter to the Minister of Education did not mention any specific plans for university exams. However, his decision to write the letter was motivated by solidarity with students who participated in the protest against the school system.
Other students have joined the silent protest, refusing exams and advocating for changes to the school system. Their actions highlight the growing concern among students about the current educational system and the need for reform.
Students' actions, such as refusing exams and writing letters to the Minister of Education, are part of a growing movement in Italy, aiming to reform education and self-development within the school system. This movement, sparked by students like Pietro Marconcini and Gian Maria Favaretto, also includes protests against the current politics of education, as well as general news regarding the school system's impact on mental well-being.
