Rome School Occupation Causes at Least €150,000 in Damage — “A Level of Total Destruction”
Several high schools across Rome have suffered extensive damage following student-led occupation protests, prompting serious concern from local education authorities. Daniele Parrucci, the official responsible for school facilities in the Metropolitan City of Rome, stated in a recent interview that the damage confirmed so far has already reached at least €150,000. He emphasized that some schools were left in conditions resembling “near-total destruction.”
Parrucci warned that the final repair costs will likely increase, as several schools have not yet submitted their full damage reports. He described the situation as “shocking and deeply disappointing.”
Major Damage Reported: Virgilio and Pacinotti-Archimede
Virgilio High School — ~€60,000 Damage
The most notable issues include severe damage to the fire safety system and intrusion-prevention devices. Some technical failures may have existed prior to the occupation, and further investigation is required.
Pacinotti-Archimede High School — ~€50,000 Damage
Parrucci described the condition of this school as “a level of total destruction.” According to the report:
- All 60 fire extinguishers were emptied and scattered throughout the building.
- Fire extinguisher powder clogged the fire detection filters, requiring full replacement.
- Severe plumbing blockages and widespread damage to walls and floors were found.
Additional damage includes:
- Tor Carbone High School — approx. €20,000
- Aristofane High School — under €10,000
Unreported Schools May Show Even Worse Damage
Authorities are especially concerned about schools where the occupations recently ended or are still ongoing. Parrucci noted that Rome has already been under heavy budget pressure following the ceiling collapse incident at the Piaget-Diaz School, which required emergency funding. The newly reported destruction adds further strain to the city's repair budget.
Education Officials Condemn the Actions: “This Undermines Students’ Legitimate Demands”
The Metropolitan City of Rome expressed strong disapproval of the destruction. Parrucci stated:
“School occupations can be a form of student expression, but acts of destruction only undermine their legitimate demands. Our appeals for increased government funding for school renovations are also damaged by this behavior.”
He added that while students’ rights to protest must be respected, those rights also come with responsibility — including the obligation not to damage public property.
Comparison to Last Year: Smaller in Scale, Still a Serious Situation
Last year’s school occupation led to more than €2 million in damage after two fires broke out at a branch of Gullace High School. While the 2025 incident is smaller in scale, education officials remain worried due to:
- Damage spread across multiple schools,
- Repeated cycles of student occupations,
- Insufficient repair budgets.
Technical teams are still assessing the final damage figures, and total repair costs may rise significantly.
Conclusion: A Protest Overshadowed by Widespread Destruction
The recent school occupations in Rome have shifted attention away from the intended purpose of student activism and toward the extensive destruction left behind. Authorities cite safety concerns, financial pressure, and disruptions to students’ learning environments as reasons for heightened alarm.
As final reports are completed, the incident is expected to spark renewed debate about the weaknesses of Rome’s educational infrastructure and the need to reform student protest culture.