Most schools in Thessaly are expected to open on Monday after the passing of the bad weather, Daniel, however, noted that in some schools, at least, distance learning might take place.

Specifically, the Deputy Minister of Education Zetta Makri he told ERT: “All over Thessaly, schools are closed and will open on Monday. We are in constant consultation and cooperation with the mayors, because they, through the technical services, will certify the suitability of the buildings, including the sanitary one. And we will have specific instructions from the Ministry of Health wherever and whenever it is needed and obviously somewhere it is needed.

Accessibility it is another reason, the adequate static adequacy of the buildings, but also health safety. All this, in cooperation with the competent services, will be taken into account. As far as we know, the District will open the schools again and this is also our wish, because the strict specifications we have made are met. We do not discount the safety of our children, nor teachers. In some areas, co-housing will be needed in consultation with the parents, so that the children do not move too far from the places where they are accommodated, and in a very, very few, remote education may be needed, but they will be very few.

Another problem remains the transportation of students, which is the responsibility of the Region, but may be undertaken by the municipalities that know exactly where there is a problem. As he characteristically said: “Regarding the transportation of students, the transportation of students is the responsibility of the Region. However, due to the extraordinary circumstances, arrangements may be made for the municipalities to undertake it as well, because they have beyond the responsibility that I repeat, this is not of interest to those listening to us, they also have the way. They know exactly what is going on in each area, so they can make the transfer in the safest possible way.”

As he said, the water in Volos is potable, but not in Pelion, where the mayor will distribute bottled water and antiseptics to the students.

Finally, he noted that there will be psychological support for the students and their parents.

For the gaps and shortages of teachers in schools

“As planned for the last few years, the appointments and hiring of teachers are also taking place. Educational process. But it’s a living process,” Mrs. Makri explained and continued: “It is possible for a teacher to get sick. It can also be a pleasant event for a teacher to become pregnant. These gaps are also covered in the second phase of recruitment. A third and fourth may be needed. They are also covered quickly. There is an automated process that became even more efficient and fast during the pandemic, that you understand that there were more gaps and more needs. Of course, we give them three days and those people must prepare, organize their lives, be able to move. But gaps exist and will always exist during the operation of education. I repeat a living process that has to do with people. From our side, it is done as quickly and as best as possible, and the educational community knows this, the parents know it too.”

“The gaps are filled based on the information and the information we have from primary and secondary education. They declare the gaps and we cover them with emphasis and priority, of course also in the nationally examined courses. Nevertheless, because there will be a second phase, there is also scope to declare other gaps and the best possible coverage is being done. I repeat, it is not complete. I neither want to embellish situations, nor pretend that we are not aware of the problems in the ministry. But we are doing our best.”