Italian artist-teacher argues remote exams better than dystopian in-person ritual

Monica Biancardi, an artist and teacher from Naples, argues that holding Italy's state exam (esame di maturità) in person during the COVID-19 pandemic would create a traumatic memory for students. She describes a dystopian scene: candidates in masks and gloves, facing seven masked teachers spaced 14 meters apart, with a single witness far away. The heat in June classrooms or gyms would be unbearable. She contrasts this with the successful experience of online lessons, where students showed high engagement. Biancardi insists that remote exams should be taken seriously, as the work done during lockdown has been substantial. She criticizes the government's communication and calls for professional advice on public appearances. The article was published on Artribune.