01-11-16 New Sifnos all-day primary school equipped immediately

There was an immediate response of the Education Ministry to the request of the municipality of the island of Sifnos that the new all-day primary school in Fyrogia be equipped rapidly. The school was inaugurated on Sunday, 30 October, and the Education Ministry disbursed 82,383 euros to equip the facility.

The mayor of Sifnos sent a letter of thanks to Education Minister Nikos Filis for the substantial aid of the ministry in procuring the necessary material and technical equipment. This allows students to attend the new school as of 7 November.

“The speed with which your ministry procured equipment (student desks, chairs, offices, podiums libraries and athletic equipment) - pursuant to our request and after it was confirmed that the procedures of the Buildings Infrastructure S.A. company were especially time-consuming -  demonstrates a palpable interest and love of the island and our children,” wrote Sifnos Mayor Andreas Babounis.

The new school is comprised of four buildings, with a total area of 2,370 square metres. It includes 12 classrooms, workshops, administrative and other offices, and common spaces.

Nikos Filis’ message on the day the school was inaugurated follows:

Your Eminence Metropolitan bishop, Honourable Prefect, and Honourable Mayor,

Dear teachers and dear students,

It is a great joy today to inaugurate the all-day primary school of the island. The island needed this for many years and it became a reality with the kind contribution of Vrysis Monastery and with EU ESPA (National Strategic Reference Framework) funding. Our gratitude is self-evident.

In contrast to what many often believe, the inauguration of a school is not a mere formality. It is a true celebration. Every new school that opens has the possibility of becoming a creative hive for the community. It is not just the fact that children will have a school closer to home. It is not just the all-day operation, which is a policy of our ministry nationwide, which will enrich the experiential horizons of children and support the social needs of parents.

The main aim and desire is that all schools be transformed into a point of reference for the community, to act as a core of cultural creativity, to serve as a hive in which children, with the support of their teachers and parents, can imagine and create the new society that we all dream about.

I am certain that in this important challenge, teachers as always will give their all, with professionalism, dedication, and a genuine love of children. I am also certain that parents will entrust them and cooperate with them in the best manner, so as to enable their children to achieve their goals.

In this difficult task, the state will stand beside you in support, so that all together we can help our children utilise their capabilities in the best way possible.

I wish you a good school year and strength in carrying out your task.

Nikos Filis