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The teacher's absences were put down to sickness as well as personal and family reasons

By Mattea Bubalo

BBC News

A teacher in Italy who was sacked for 20 years of absence in 24 years at schools near Venice has vowed to tell her side of the story.

Cinzia Paolina De Lio was dismissed in 2017 after she reappeared for four months and triggered complaints.

Italy's highest court confirmed the dismissal after a legal battle, saying her absences showed a "permanent and absolute ineptitude".

Ms De Lio has condemned the ruling and vowed to "reconstruct the truth".

The secondary school teacher, who specialises in history and philosophy, said she had documents to prove her story but told Repubblica newspaper: "Sorry, but right now I'm at the beach."

"I will reconstruct the truth of the facts of this absolutely unique and surreal story", she said adding, "I don't answer questions from journalists thrown around that wouldn't do justice to the truth of my story."