"Let us study." Students at the Sironi Academy of Fine Arts in Sassari protested, having hung meaningful banners in front of the institution's façade on Via Duca degli Abruzzi. "We have no teachers" is one of the slogans displayed, the meaning of which is quickly explained.
"We've just started the second semester," the students say, "and we're without teachers because no assignments have been made. Teaching has been interrupted." Or, more accurately, self-managed.
"We're the ones who organize the lessons with the teachers. At the moment, we have no guidelines or instructions because we haven't been informed."
Signs of problems had already been visible in the first semester: “A provisional class timetable arrived every two weeks.”
There are just under 400 students at the Academy, 60% of whom are from out of town. "Our biggest fear is that we'll be forced to extend our academic calendar by weeks and months." This comes with all the associated problems, starting with the fact that the Student Residence is closed in July, and you have to arrange for a place to rent, perhaps even without the money. "And we're already paying tuition fees without having access to the service."
“Furthermore,” they add, “those who received scholarships risk having them revoked because they are tied to credits.”
There are several critical issues, such as the exam date being announced a week in advance when it should have been announced within a month. Or the issue of space: "We've been told the Masedu is unusable."
"We're not looking for a scapegoat, but rather for more accountability and respect," they conclude. Now the ball is in the director's court, who will have to intervene to resolve the situation.