COVID: Half of classes on distance learning - principals

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 18 - Antonello Giannelli, the head of the Italian Association of School Principals, said Tuesday that his body estimates that around half of the nation's lessons are being conducted via distance learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    The association had called for all lessons to be done via distance learning for a few weeks this month, rather than having students physically back in classrooms when the nation's schools reopened after the Christmas holidays, because of the impact of the current wave of contagion.
    The government decided against this, although there are rules for classes to switch to distance learning when COVID cases occur in them.
    "Our estimate is that 50%of classes are in distance learning," Giannelli told Radio 24.
    "We are awaiting the publication of official data.
    "The schools reopened (after Christmas) and the system held up.
    "But we didn't have any doubts about this thanks to the work of the principals, the teachers and all the staff.
    "There were no catastrophes, but there is enormous difficulty in managing things.
    "The principals are dealing only with the health emergency, not with all the rest". (ANSA).