Dark clouds have gathered, once again, over the education sector and specifically, over Pre-Primary and Primary Education, against the backdrop this time of the Government's decision to extension of compulsory schooling in Pre-Primary, from the age of 4. A decision that has charged the already tense atmosphere that prevails between teachers and the Minister of Education, with the two sides exchanging harsh words and recriminations.
And while everything showed that this year would be calmer, compared to the previous two, as there are no pandemic measures which had brought strong reactions from parents, instead the decision of the Council of Ministers, to approves the proposal of Prodromos Prodromos to extend compulsory schooling in Pre-Primary downwards, only brought discomfort to those in charge.
For their part, the teachers, whenever they found an opportunity, either from the floor of the Parliament, or through other initiatives, expressed their reactions and opposition to the legislation promoted by the Ministry of Education. However, a voice crying in the wilderness, as it turned out, since the discussions before the Education Committee are at an advanced stage and based on the statements from the Parliament, until December 1st, it is expected to be brought to the Plenary.
However, the POED did not sit idly by, as its members are expected to be outside the Presidential Palace in the afternoon, where they will protest against this decision and ask the President of the Republic to intervene. /p>
“We will be there to ask the President to review this policy and its design so that it is implemented in the right way. We want to ensure the public nature of education and we continue, at the same time, to call on Parliament and MPs to proceed with amending the legislation, submitted by the Ministry of Education, with the aim of defending the public school”, explained the president of POED to the REPORTER , Myria Vassiliou.
The protest event is expected to take place in the afternoon, at 4:00, so that valuable teaching time is not lost and inconvenience is not created for both parents and students. In addition to the intervention of politicians, the teachers' organization wants to send a message to the Ministry of Education, through this particular protest.
“What we claim is the right of every child to access public education and school. All children must have access to the good of education. Our event is also supported by the teachers, but also by the organized parents of Pre-primary”. of teachers provoked the strong reaction of the Minister of Education, who in his statements left clear points about the reasons for the protest in question and in particular spoke of a selfish and backward attitude.
“As POED, all during this time we submitted our positions and our concerns. There was no institutional dialogue, our suggestions were not listened to at all and unilaterally, we see the Ministry of Education moving forward with this specific proposal”, emphasized Ms. Vassiliou.
The POED clarified, at the same time, that the protest in question is expected to be the beginning of a lasting struggle and possibly new mobilizations.
