Mathraki Primary School to close again
Mathraki Primary School
25 Oct 2022
/ 22:35
CORFU. Mathraki Primary School΄s sole pupil is leaving the island after living there for about a year and a half.
One year ago, 9-year-old Tasos, Mathraki Primary School's sole pupil, carried the Greek flag at 28 October parade, givng joy to the few residents of the island.
A year later, the 4th grade pupil is moving to Tilos. Thus, the Primary School, which opened last year after almost two decades, will close again.
The school, which started operating for the second year, is going to close again when the only pupil leaves. The 10-year-old boy's story became known nationwide last year as the only pupil on the island, thanks to whom the school bell sounded again after 21 years.
Expectations
The expectations and hope created by the arrival of the then 9-year-old Tasos and his mother on the island were high. The mere fact that a new family decided to move to the island, despite the great difficulties, gave great joy to the residents and caused optimism for education on islands like Mathraki. This year, 10-year-old Tasos will carry the Greek flag for the last time in the island's parade on 28 October.
Present will be, as always, his mother Jenny Yiannopoulou, his teacher and the few residents of the island to admire and applaud him. Then, around the end of November, the family will leave the island and the school will close again. The family will move to Tilos - an island with 100 pupils and not only a primary school, but also a junior high and high school.
"The main reason we are leaving is for Tasos to be in a good mood. It's hard for him to be the only child on the island. The difficulties never bothered us, we adapted from the first moment. If there were no unpleasant situations, we would have had no problem staying," Mrs. Yiannopoulou told Enimerosi.
It will not close permanently
According to the Ionian Islands Regional Director of Education Petros Aggelopoulos, the primary school will not close permanently, but only for five years. During this time the pupil population may change.
"This is the procedure that has to be followed. A school does not close permanently but only for five years, during which the pupil population may change. The teacher that was working there will not lose her job. She will be transferred to a school in Corfu," Mr. Aggelopoulos told Enimerosi.
Following the sad news that the pupil's mother announced through her social media, only one school is currently open on the Diapontia islands and in particular in Erikoussa. In the last few years, the primary school has been operating there for two pupils, while this year a nursery opened for two more children. As far as Othoni is concerned, no school is currently operating until there are children again.
A year later, the 4th grade pupil is moving to Tilos. Thus, the Primary School, which opened last year after almost two decades, will close again.
The school, which started operating for the second year, is going to close again when the only pupil leaves. The 10-year-old boy's story became known nationwide last year as the only pupil on the island, thanks to whom the school bell sounded again after 21 years.
Expectations
The expectations and hope created by the arrival of the then 9-year-old Tasos and his mother on the island were high. The mere fact that a new family decided to move to the island, despite the great difficulties, gave great joy to the residents and caused optimism for education on islands like Mathraki. This year, 10-year-old Tasos will carry the Greek flag for the last time in the island's parade on 28 October.
Present will be, as always, his mother Jenny Yiannopoulou, his teacher and the few residents of the island to admire and applaud him. Then, around the end of November, the family will leave the island and the school will close again. The family will move to Tilos - an island with 100 pupils and not only a primary school, but also a junior high and high school.
"The main reason we are leaving is for Tasos to be in a good mood. It's hard for him to be the only child on the island. The difficulties never bothered us, we adapted from the first moment. If there were no unpleasant situations, we would have had no problem staying," Mrs. Yiannopoulou told Enimerosi.
It will not close permanently
According to the Ionian Islands Regional Director of Education Petros Aggelopoulos, the primary school will not close permanently, but only for five years. During this time the pupil population may change.
"This is the procedure that has to be followed. A school does not close permanently but only for five years, during which the pupil population may change. The teacher that was working there will not lose her job. She will be transferred to a school in Corfu," Mr. Aggelopoulos told Enimerosi.
Following the sad news that the pupil's mother announced through her social media, only one school is currently open on the Diapontia islands and in particular in Erikoussa. In the last few years, the primary school has been operating there for two pupils, while this year a nursery opened for two more children. As far as Othoni is concerned, no school is currently operating until there are children again.
