With references to the changes that have been made in school education, with the most important improvements to the infrastructure in the classrooms, the Digital school and the Digital tutoring center, the treatment of intra-school violence and bullying and the new operating regulations of the school, he welcomes in his message the start of of the new school year the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Kyriakos Pierrakakis.

Mr. Pierrakakis in his message to students, parents and teachers emphasizes the great importance of these changes, commits to the continuation of investments in education and concludes: “for all of us at the Ministry of Education, Religion and Sports “the year of school” is not a slogan, but a commitment. Commitment to implement all our announcements, but also to undertake any additional action, always having you, the students and teachers, at the center of our interest and care. Our job is to make the school you deserve a reality. It’s your job, the educational community, to focus on learning, stress-free and with a smile.”

Mr. Pierrakakis’ message in detail:

“Dear students, with the most important infrastructure improvements in the classrooms,

Dear and dear teachers,

Each new school year is the starting point of a new effort to become better. And this effort concerns both you, the protagonists of the educational process, and us at the Ministry, who are called to make your daily life easier, safer and more productive.

This year the changes you will see will be numerous and dense, while they will extend across the entire range of educational everyday life.

From the appointment of 10,000 permanent teachers to the completion of the installation of interactive whiteboards in all classrooms from the 5th grade and above and from the introduction of entire literary works to the teaching of Literature to the strengthening of professional orientation, a common component of our initiatives is a open school, friendly to teachers and students, which will offer modern knowledge and develop necessary skills.

You will allow me to focus a little more on 4 individual actions:

The first is the public school infrastructure renovation program. The “Marietta Giannakou” program is a project that makes your daily life better and, above all, safer. We hear all your demands and we are the first to say it clearly: our schools must have both modern tools and reliable infrastructure – and they must have both together, in the shortest possible time. Already this year you will see the first interventions.

The second is the Digital School and, in particular, the Digital Tutoring. With these new digital tools we want to give every child the possibility to repeat any part of the material they want, through understandable digital traditions, videotaped or live broadcast. And here I must dwell on the contribution of the teachers participating in this program, contributing not only their work and energy, but also their innovative look.

The third has to do with dealing with intra-school violence and bullying. The new year finds schools, teachers and children equipped with a range of new tools so that no child is alone. In this effort, we want all of you, the students, on our side: don’t be afraid to talk about any incident that affects you, stand against bullying, but also next to the victims of such behaviors.

The last change concerns the new school operating regulation. It is certain that the “cell phones in the bag” measure will be the cause of many thoughts and discussions. However, it is sure to help not only in better communication with your teachers and professors but also in developing relationships between you.

As for our teachers, who have supported and continue to support Education in our country, our assurance is that we will continue to work intensively in order to improve the conditions under which you exercise your function. The increase in the appointment of permanent teaching staff, which will continue in the coming years, and the introduction of new educational tools aim to create a solid teacher-student relationship as well as a stable environment for all members of the school community.

We will continue to be by your side to support you and the valuable work you offer, so that our children develop into active and responsible citizens and worthy professionals, who, in addition to knowledge, will have skills and non-negotiable values, such as respect, solidarity and empathy.

I conclude with the following: for all of us at the Ministry of Education, Religion and Sports “the school year” is not a slogan, but a commitment. Commitment to implement all our announcements, but also to undertake any additional action, always having you, the students and teachers, at the center of our interest and care. Our job is to make the school you deserve a reality. It’s your job, the educational community, to focus on learning, stress-free and with a smile.

Happy school year, with health, creativity and progress!”.