“Our invitation to the Development Conference is just a token gesture.”
Tsipras
05 Dec 2017
/ 08:52
CORFU. The educational community΄s reaction to the Development Conference taking place in Corfu is unanimous and they have decided to protest together outside the hotel where the conference is going to be held on Wednesday 6th.
At an interview given by the President of the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate (SEPE), Eleni Malacha, the President of the Secondary Education Personnel Union (ELME), Marina Rapti, the President of the Association of Special Education Disciplines, Maria Agathou and the Parents’ Association representative, Nikos Perdikomatis, all the speakers expressed their common position against the Development Conference, which they regard as a token gesture. The problems in all the areas of education are well-known and have been stated countless times - all that remains is for solutions to be put into practice.
The SEPE president, Eleni Malacha, said that those in power have already made their decisions and it’s ridiculous to hold discussions without reason. She went on to say that the summer has passed and everyone is experiencing difficulties (including personnel in the field of education). She declared that the discussion to which they were invited was just a token gesture and called on everyone to join the protest demonstration outside the Park Hotel in Gouvia on Wednesday at 6pm. “Our place is in the street, not at the table.”
The ELME president, Marina Rapti, declared that, “In the context of development that includes selling Corfu Airport and Erimitis, it is clear that a conference on development is an oxymoron.” She said that this summer may have been positive as regards the number of arrivals, but it’s a different picture when we look at the wage reductions, the increase in insurance contributions and the problems that society is facing. "Conditions in the field of education are stifling." Ms. Rapti went on to say that the Development Conference wanted people to cheer, but not to put forward arguments or expose the problems that exist – it was just a matter of paying lip service.
The president of the Association of Special Education Disciplines, Maria Agathou said they had been officially invited and that initially they had seen it as a polite gesture. “However,” she continued, “it is too late to be polite now. For so many years we have been treated like the poor relatives." As far as the problems of Special Education are concerned, Mrs Agathou said that they are already well-known and since no action has been taken, the invitation is just a token gesture.
Finally, the representative of the Parents' Association, Nikos Perdikomatis, said the parents would have liked to have thanked the Prime Minister for solving the problems and providing school buildings. However, this is not the case, so they can’t do it and he called on as many people as possible to come to the protest demonstration at the Park Hotel in Gouvia on Wednesday 6th at 6pm. “We won’t take part in this ‘celebration’ of theirs.”
The SEPE president, Eleni Malacha, said that those in power have already made their decisions and it’s ridiculous to hold discussions without reason. She went on to say that the summer has passed and everyone is experiencing difficulties (including personnel in the field of education). She declared that the discussion to which they were invited was just a token gesture and called on everyone to join the protest demonstration outside the Park Hotel in Gouvia on Wednesday at 6pm. “Our place is in the street, not at the table.”
The ELME president, Marina Rapti, declared that, “In the context of development that includes selling Corfu Airport and Erimitis, it is clear that a conference on development is an oxymoron.” She said that this summer may have been positive as regards the number of arrivals, but it’s a different picture when we look at the wage reductions, the increase in insurance contributions and the problems that society is facing. "Conditions in the field of education are stifling." Ms. Rapti went on to say that the Development Conference wanted people to cheer, but not to put forward arguments or expose the problems that exist – it was just a matter of paying lip service.
The president of the Association of Special Education Disciplines, Maria Agathou said they had been officially invited and that initially they had seen it as a polite gesture. “However,” she continued, “it is too late to be polite now. For so many years we have been treated like the poor relatives." As far as the problems of Special Education are concerned, Mrs Agathou said that they are already well-known and since no action has been taken, the invitation is just a token gesture.
Finally, the representative of the Parents' Association, Nikos Perdikomatis, said the parents would have liked to have thanked the Prime Minister for solving the problems and providing school buildings. However, this is not the case, so they can’t do it and he called on as many people as possible to come to the protest demonstration at the Park Hotel in Gouvia on Wednesday 6th at 6pm. “We won’t take part in this ‘celebration’ of theirs.”
