“Bell” of danger for those who make policy in our country are the OECD data, according to which Greece within a decade – from 2012 to 2022 – lost 20 learning points.

“This corresponds to a full school year” pointed out Aigli Zafirakou, Senior Education Technical Advisor – Consultant, The World Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, speaking in the context of the 9th Delphi Economic Forum, which takes place in Delphi
As pointed out by Ms. Zafirakou, the Greek PISA reaches the same conclusions, revealing at the same time that according to the same data, students in Turkey for years have far outnumbered students in Greece. As he further stated, the program of International Student Assessment “PISA” is only an indicator, however it captures the serious problems in the fundamental learning and soft skills of Greek children, both in general and technical high schools.

“1/5 of 4th grade primary school students in the European Union have difficulty writing a simple sentence and at the age of 15 they cannot understand a simple text”, said Nuno Crato, Minister of Science, Technology, taking the floor & Higher Education, from Portugal.

As he pointed out, addressing this issue requires the adoption of ambitious, well-structured and clear curricula that will focus on core subjects, combining knowledge with critical thinking. Mr Crato also referred to the critical role of assessment, noting that despite the backlash teachers in Portugal are now familiar with PISA, which provides them with guidance on what to do with children and parents.

“We are all for the freedom of teachers. But in the name of this we must not do things that are not good for children”, said Jean-Michel Blanquer, Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports (2017-2022), Republic of France, underlining the need to take basic evaluation measures from the beginning of school and on an annual basis. As Mr Blanquer pointed out, with the PISA programme, we have formed an individual vision for each child and a specific view for each school in each region, giving an example of how PISA works in France. As he added, in order to reverse the learning decline recorded in Europe in recent years, the existence of a demanding and detailed curriculum is also required, as well as the acceptance of children with their particularities.

“Instead of expecting children to respond to the way we teach them, we need to adapt to meet their needs,” said Peggy Peloni, President, ACS Athens American Community Schools, taking the floor. “We cannot kill the creativity and hope of children”, he added. Ms. Peloni highlighted, at the same time, the need for universal access to education through the creation of opportunities for all children. “To understand what each one needs individually and to adapt our methodology”, he said characteristically, adding, among other things, the need for teachers to receive special training on the issue of mental illnesses that break children and teenagers.

“The well-being of the children is very important,” agreed Sonia Rawat, Head of College, United World College Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina, explaining the difficulties faced by her students who come from 72 countries, many of which are at war. condition. Some of these children don’t even know English, but they will have to successfully finish the IB Program if they want to enter university, he added, stressing that psychological support for children is critical to achieving this goal.

In the context of the same topic, the discussion that dealt with the development opportunities created for Greece after the institution of the establishment of non-state non-profit universities, entitled “Higher education collaborative arrangements: What does the future hold?”

“A little while ago, the European Commissioner gave an answer to the KKE MPs who raised the issue of the unconstitutionality of the new law, saying that the establishment of foreign universities is allowed regardless of their identity, as long as they are recognized and equal”, said Evripidis Stylianidis, MP of KKE ND, Minister of Education (2007-2009) Assoc. Professor of Law, European University of Cyprus.

As Mr. Stylianidis additionally mentioned, this transition will be completed in November with the revision of Article 16 of the Constitution which prohibits the establishment of private universities, stressing that after this step Greece will begin to enter the global education market. “Greece is first in exiled students and sixth in “brains”, he said, pointing out that our country should follow the example of Cyprus, which in ten years attracted 40,000 students, while increasing its GDP by 5%.

“At the Athens University of Economics and Business, we accept annually 2,800 undergraduates and 500 foreign students. 360 of them are Europeans with student exchange programs and the others come in 8 foreign language programs”, said Giorgos Doukidis, Prof., Dept of Management Science & Technology, Athens University of Economics and Business. As he estimated, “if all Greek universities followed our example, Greece could accept more than 75,000 students, another 25,000”. Mr. Doukidis even made a special reference to the foreign language departments created specifically for American students, as well as the need to utilize Greek professors abroad in the context of the establishment of non-state universities.

“The period of expansion of American universities abroad is over,” said Alexis Phylaktopoulos, Executive Chair of the Board of Trustees, CYA, Greece, stressing that the country should focus on attracting students from other countries. He clarified, however, that the same does not apply to the short-term study programs at the undergraduate level, for which there is strong interest from American students. Finally, as Mr. Phylaktopoulos estimated, with the necessary facilities, the scope for attracting students from the USA can increase.

“The university must combine education with research”, pointed out Meletios-Athanassios Dimopoulos, Professor and Director of Therapeutic Clinic, National & Kapodistrian University. Other critical issues he highlighted are the meritocratic criteria for selecting students for universities that tend towards excellence, the continuous evaluation of staff and the adaptation of education to new data, interactivity and the assurance of the necessary resources for their operation. If we want to repatriate the Greek teachers abroad, a satisfactory remuneration is required, he added. “Careful steps are needed to avoid creating two-speed universities and a subordinate market”, concluded Mr. Dimopoulos.

“Extroversion can only bring positive results,” said Giorgos Nunesis, Director and President of the Board of Directors of the “Demokritos” National Natural Sciences Research Center, taking the floor, referring specifically to the doctoral scholarship program, in the context of which students are employed in companies while have the opportunity to work side-by-side on innovative research projects, as well as in Democritus’ collaboration with the University of Thrace in a highly competitive English-language undergraduate program.

On the Forum website (https://def-ix.delp