The affair started in 2017. At that time, Cincia Paulina de Leo, a history and philosophy teacher, arrived at a new high school. Four months later, his students sound the alarm. He was “unprepared” and “confused” in his presentations, “inattentive” during evaluations, “shorthanded” in preparing programs and “inconsistent” in the characteristics of the scores, which they handed over to our colleagues from La Repubblica.
We all got 9s and 10/10s to avoid complaining to management
One of his former students goes further with La Repubblica. “There was no continuity. She was coming for a few days, taking long sick leave. Instead, we had substitutes or sometimes let us finish the course early”, before continuing: “She often got our names wrong because she didn’t know us. She We weren’t told about any of the writers, but magically we all got 9s and 10/10s, avoiding complaining and reporting to management.
For the first ten years she was completely absent, and for the other 14 years she was mostly on sick leave.
Unfortunately for Cinzia Paolina De Lio, the students’ suspicions arouse the administration and an investigation is carried out. The verdict was final: “In 24 years of teaching, she was absent for a total of 20 years. For the first ten years she was completely absent, and for the other 14 years, she was on sick leave between 40 and 180 days a year,” cites Il Corriere della Sera.
The teacher was later dismissed from the school. Then begins a long legal battle at first instance, up to an appeal and the Italian Court of Cassation, which gave its final verdict.
Over 100 different justifications
In total, the 56-year-old Italian issued more than 100 different justifications and 67 sick leave certificates between September 1, 2001 and June 30, 2021, according to La Repubblica.
Among the supporting documents: two absences for accidents at work, 16 authorizations for absence for personal reasons, three work suspensions for health care, two maternity and breastfeeding leaves, seven leaves for sick children, seven paid parental leaves, 24 leaves and allowances for assistance. Family members with severe disabilities, or five non-excused persons for participation in refresher and training courses.
Contacted by La Repubblica, Cinzia Paolina De Lio promises to “reconstruct the truth of the facts of this completely unique and surreal story”.
“Total coffee junkie. Tv ninja. Unapologetic problem solver. Beer expert.”