In awarding praise to three teachers, as a moral reward for exceptional acts during the execution of their service, the Ministry of Education proceeded, in a touching ceremony held earlier today, in the building of the Ministry of Education.

“In their faces we reward the knowledge, preparedness and genuine interest of the teachers for our children“, emphasized the Minister of Education, Religion and Sports, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, during the ceremony and added: “We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for the great example they set for all of us”.

Georgios Papadantonakis, principal of the 41st high school of Athens, was called to give first aid to his student, who had been attacked with a hammer by an extracurricular student who had invaded the school premises. When he noticed the assailant, he ran to catch up with him and was himself stabbed in the abdomen.

“I don’t feel like a hero. I feel touched and overwhelmed with love from my colleagues and my children, my students“, said Mr. Papadantonakis, flanked by dozens of high school students who attended to honor him with their presence. The incident, which happened about a month ago, shocked the local community of Kypseli, as well as public opinion. Mr. Papadantonakis has not yet returned to his duties, as a surgery is still pending.

Further north, at the all-day Experimental Primary School of Serres, the teacher in charge, Antonia Vagena, was called to provide first aid to a small student, who was choking and could not get up from his seat.

“I felt nothing but relief that the student was saved. Luckily, I knew first aid and did the Heimlich maneuver“, he said and added that after the incident, close bonds of trust, love and security were created between students and teachers.

On the island of Kos, when a 3rd high school student collapsed, her classmates called their teacher, Ioanni-Errico Troumoulis, to help, knowing that he was a volunteer rescuer.

The school has two external defibrillators, he used one and performed CPR until specialist help arrived. “We save lives, but from the very strong emotions, we do many nights until we fall asleep“, pointed out Mr. Troumoulis.

“The joy is great, now that the child is back at school and we see that he can cope with all the activities and is part of our society“, he added.

All three teachers emphasized the importance and the need to train teachers in first aid, so that children – and their parents – feel extra safe in the school area.