Speaking to skai.gr, on the sidelines of the press conference, Mr. Doukas referred to the fact that the Schools were tested during the crisis years of 2010
By Marialene Tsouvelekidis
The global educational group acquired a majority stake in Duka schools Cognita Europe & US. The news was revealed in a Press Conference by the managing director of the Greek schools, Konstantinos Doukas, who will continue to actively participate in the events, maintaining a significant share.
As stated by Mr. Konstantinos Doukas,CEO of Douka Schools, an important role in his decision to proceed with the deal with the Cognita group was played by the fact that they share common values around the education sector and that this is what led him to conclude the deal in the end. “We are partners and collaborators and this is also reflected in the documents”, he said characteristically.
Speaking exclusively to skai.gron the sidelines of the press conference, Mr. Doukas alluded to the fact that Doukas Schools were tested during the 2010 crisis years, with him trying to keep tuition affordable even for the middle class. Therefore, in order for Doukas Schools to develop and maintain the quality of education they want to offer, they had to join a larger group. The agreement with Cognita Group will enable Duke schools to gain access to further equipment and teaching staff. Mr. Doukas even assured that as a result there will be no increase in the fees paid by the parents. However, he clarified that the amount is also determined by many global factors, such as the price of energy.
Asked if it is a challenge how students and parents will accept Cognita’s new education methods, he answered positively, but added that he has confidence in the quality of education that Doukas Schools have been committed to providing for over 100 years. In addition, he noted that he made this decision keeping in mind that the goal is the values and vision of education and not money, something that he urges his students to set as a goal.
He even ended up saying that “our goal is to exceed the expectations of the students, and the enemy of the good is the best, as my father used to say.”
Cognita’s next steps
OR Cognita, which which started in 2004 in the UK, has expanded to many countries worldwide, with the most recent acquisitions of schools in Kuwait, Switzerland and Abu Dhabi.
As mentioned by German Rigauthe Managing Director, Continental Europe, of Cognita “We are looking for high quality private schools and Greece is very attractive from a social, economic and educational point of view». And he added that the next steps of Cognita are considering the possibility of cooperation with other Greek private schools and the expansion of Doukas Schools, with the addition of additional facilities. After all, he concluded, “we were looking at the market for 7 years before proceeding with this particular agreement.”
Who is Cognita Education Group?
Cognita which was founded 20 years ago and has today more than 100 schools in 17 countriesis in complete harmony with the values and ideals of Doukas Schools and the common goal of offering quality educational services.
Cognita operates and develops under his umbrella Jacobs Foundationone of the world’s leading charities, based in Switzerland, founded by Klaus J. Jacobs. The foundation supports Global Education with research and studies and uses the evidence derived from them to formulate effective teaching and learning techniques with the aim of improving the learning experience.
Both the Jacobs Foundation and Cognita are committed to the legacy of Klaus J. Jacobs: leveraging their financial strength to help children around the world live a better life. Both are aligned in their commitment to ensuring that every child can thrive through an evidence-based approach to learning and development.
Through this partnership, Doukas Schools ensure the necessary access, but also an impetus to their students to take advantage of opportunities and resources in the context of a global learning and collaborative community, where classes are dynamically connected and learning has no boundaries forming citizens of the world with Greek identity.
Best practices, innovative educational tools and programs that enhance their personal and professional development will be available to students and teachers.
What cooperation with Cognita offers:
- For students: Innovative education tools, international certifications, educational exchanges, educational trips, participation in academic, sports and cultural competitions and international conferences, connection to a global alumni network, etc.
- For teachers: Exchange of good practices, personal development seminars, international conferences, trainings, access to an inexhaustible source of educational tools, etc.
- For parents: Cooperation with a high-quality international network of schools offers security that their children receive an excellent education of international standards, with expanded academic and professional perspectives, access to educational innovations and experiences that cultivate a global perspective and multicultural skills.
Source: Skai
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