Mimmo Turano launches anti-violence listening project for Sicilian schools

Mimmo Turano, the Sicilian Regional Minister for Education and Training, has launched a new anti-violence initiative featuring “listening desks” (sportelli ascolto) within schools. The project aims to combat student distress and prevent violence by providing dedicated spaces for dialogue and support.

During a visit to the Archimede Institute in Syracuse, Turano met with school leaders to discuss structural challenges, the impact of new technologies, and the need for better social integration. The minister emphasized that student issues often stem from broader familial and societal distress, noting that schools are frequently the first place these problems manifest.

The proposed plan intends to involve universities and could enter an operational phase following the next regional budget maneuver. This initiative follows recent incidents of violence in Sicilian schools, such as the episode at the Pipitone middle school in Marsala. Turano noted that the goal is to move beyond reacting to individual incidents and instead create a systemic way to intercept social and familial issues before they escalate in the classroom.