Student awarded medal for stopping knife attack on Rome teacher
A 13-year-old student was presented with a merit medal by Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara after he disarmed a classmate who had pepper-sprayed and stabbed teacher Isabella Marsilio at a Rome middle school.
On September 18, a 66-year-old Italian literature teacher, Isabella Marsilio, was assaulted at Giovanni Verga middle school in Rome’s Centocelle district after a fellow pupil sprayed her with pepper spray and stabbed her. A 13-year-old classmate stepped in, wrestled the weapon away and held the attacker, averting potentially critical injuries. The following Thursday, Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara awarded the intervening student a medal of merit at the Ministry of Education and Merit, highlighting the act’s educational value and the importance of courage and solidarity in schools.
Marsilio, who was in her final year before retirement, publicly supported the student’s right to remain in Italy despite his Congolese background. The attacker, who had accessed violent material on social media, reportedly acted out of retaliation for a failing grade. This event adds to a series of recent school-related stabbings in Italy, prompting renewed concern over student safety and disciplinary policies.
Why it matters
The story underscores the growing issue of school violence in Italy and highlights the role of student bravery in protecting educators.
In this story
