In the quiet folds of the Umbrian Apennines, where many villages are dimming as people leave, local leaders are refusing to let schools fade away. Mayors, principals, teachers – they’re teaming up to build something daring: keeping classrooms alive, keeping hope alive, even when only a few children remain.
One small town, Parrano, is at the front lines. The early childhood center there has just five pupils this year – not enough to keep it running without part-time staff. The principal, Cinzia Meatta, and mayor Valentino Filippetti are pushing back – if the center closes, families will send kids elsewhere, and soon enough there won’t be enough students even in the elementary grades.
