12-09-16 Nikos Filis speaks to journalists on the start of the school year

Journalist :  The school year begins without vacant teaching posts, but with complaints from teachers’ federations about the appointment of teachers with certain specialisations and of substitute teachers.

Nikos Filis:  Today is a day of joy for our schools. After 30 years, schools are starting without teacher vacancies, with all teachers and textbooks in classrooms awaiting the children. I want to extend a greeting to all – to children, their teachers and their parents – and to assure them that we shall take all the bold steps necessary to proceed even further toward our aim of creating a school that is an open embrace for all children, a school of equality and quality.

This year, for the first time ever, all primary schools nationwide have been upgraded to all-day schools, and we have new lessons, specialisations and teachers, for example in the arts, and with foreign language instruction beginning in first grade. We will also have computer classes and theatre arts. It will be a rich programme.

This is a great day, then, because we have a single type of primary school for all students nationwide. We are discussing all other issues with educators and parents. We are expanding the capacities of primary schools. I believe this dialogue must be conducted without prejudice and haste.

Journalist: Teachers say you cut teaching hours and covered teacher vacancies in this manner.

Nikos Filis :  I repeat that today, parents and students are the judges. We did not cut hours, but rather increased teaching hours because there will be a single type of school nationwide. All children in all of Greece, and not only in urban areas, will have lessons in art, English-language, computers and theatre arts, beginning in first grade. Changes were made not to reduce the teaching hours or to cut expenditures, but for pedagogical reasons. The seven-hour day in certain schools around the country, in one-third of primary schools, had a negative impact in our view. It was a downgraded seventh hour of class in which children could not absorb very much.  So we eschewed anti-pedagogical choices and opted for choices that respect children and help them to enjoy learning.

Journalist :  Speaking in your previous capacity [as a journalist], how do you judge the fact that four newspapers were not able to pose a question to the prime minister [at the major, televised annual news conference] at the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair ?

Nikos Filis:  I am not familiar with the issue, but I believe a large number of journalists asked questions yesterday. I always believe that everyone should have the opportunity to ask questions, but in the framework of the time allotted.