Professor Ponticelli, what happened to the lesson?
“One day, a student wasn’t wearing a top, it was just a bra: I told her to go back to the locker room and then she came to class normally. The next lesson, there were five, six girls who got like that, defiantly. I told them that we are in a school environment, to live in t-shirts, it is also a question of health and hygiene: let’s ventilate the gym for Covid, it’s cold ».

Did he tell them to cover up because he could have distracted the boys?
“No I did not. This morning (Thursday, ed) I came down from the clouds, finding myself in front of those billboards. My anger is that they have said things that I have not done. I hope everything comes back soon and to talk to my students. They are fifteen years old, they must be listened to and understood ».

But he invited them to cover up.
“I’m a mom, it’s like she told my children. Instead the girls got up, a little angry that they had lost this challenge and covered up. I ask all my students to wear suitable clothing, I have nothing to say if you arrive in shorts or short sleeves ».

What was it like to teach during the protest?
«I received messages of solidarity from teachers, students, ex-students. In class this morning (Thursday, ed), they asked me to talk about it, it was a peaceful lesson. Perhaps those girls have found an opportunity to be heard, to give voice to this way of showing off your body. But speaking with my colleagues, they too call for appropriate clothing ».

The Corriere del Veneto newsletter

If you want to stay updated on the news of the Veneto, subscribe for free to the newsletter of Courier of the Veneto. It arrives every day straight to your inbox at 12 noon. Just click here.