12-09-16 Nikos Filis stresses aim of equality, quality in school reform
“A school of quality and equality is an open embrace for all children, with no distinctions of background, gender or age,” said Education Minister Nikos Filis, addressing students and parents attending the religious blessing on the first day of school at the 132nd Primary School of Grava, where Athens Mayor Yorgos Kaminis was also in attendance.
The Education Minister’s remarks follow:
“I want to wish a good year to first graders, first of all, and that they may have a new experience and the joy of learning. I also want to salute the teachers, who are the pillar of the school with their contribution and their example, and the parents who are with us today.
This year this day can be, and that is what we aimed for as a ministry, a day of joy for all schools, which can operate without problems, with all textbooks and teachers in place from the very first day. This is very important, because public schools such as yours should offer equal opportunities to all children. They must not discriminate, even in its shortcomings.
This year, throughout Greece, we are upgrading the public school. There are no privileged and non-privileged children. All children at all primary schools throughout Greece will have the same programme, with new classes, a rich programme that offers the opportunity after the end of classes, for those students who desire to remain at the all-day school. This is a practical step to establish educational equality and, at the same time, to enrich the school with new lessons is a tangible initiative to ensure quality.
This is the kind of school we all want. This is what teachers and parents desire. On the occasion of our encounter today, I want to underline that the school of equality and quality is an open embrace for all children, with no distinctions based on background, religion or gender. The school of equality and quality is an open embrace for all children.
Today we are here with the Mayor of Athens, Mr. Kaminis. On our part, and I believe also on his, this is a symbolic gesture. We want to stress that schools should be open to society and have a rich array of educational, athletic, and cultural activities, which should be organised only with the cooperation of the school and local government. In the municipality of Athens we have Open Schools. This, then, is what we are planning – an open school for all children, open to society.
Thank you, and may this be a good year for all.”
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