Half million students start high-school finals in unique circumstances

(ANSA) - Rome, June 17 - Around half a million Italian students returned to school in unique circumstances on Wednesday to take the first part of their high-school final exams.
    The exams are taking place amid stringent safety measures on social distancing and the use of masks due to the coronavirus emergency.
    The students had to prepare for the crunch tests via distance learning after Italy's schools were closed in March as part of the drive to combat the spread of COVID-19.
    They are only facing oral tests and the written part of the exams has been dropped this year due to the exceptional situation.
    "It was by no means certain that the students would be able to be physically present to take these exams," said Education Minister Lucia Azzolina during a visit to the Istituto Quarenghi school in the northern city of Bergamo, one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus.
    The minister said pupils will be able to return to their classrooms at the start of the next academic year in September.
    "We have proposed the date of September 14 to the regional governments," she said.