Today schools opened again in Greece, after nearly three months (!!!) of summer holidays.
The Greek Orthodox priest came to my son's school to bless the school, teachers and children. So much for separation of Church and State, or freedom of religion. Then the children were sent home. No new books, not even a list of their stationery needs. Luckily I only work part-time so I was home when he returned--imagine how parents in full-time employment manage this.
Children in our old neighbourhood did get their books today, so I hope it's just a matter of time before the books arrive at my son's school. After all, they only had three months to get them ready... I guess they started distribution at the more privileged northern suburbs and the books will eventually trickle down to the working-class south-western suburbs. At least it looks as though there will be books this year, unlike two or three years ago, when children got CD-ROMs or were told to go online, download and print them.
I was just watching a brief report on TV, summarising the main changes implemented by 27 Ministers of Education in about 35 years. Sometimes a Minister's successor from the same political party would cancel the previous decision. A pupil who starts Senior High School cannot be certain the system will be the same when they graduate three years later.
You may recall my friend the teacher who was in limbo. Today she was finally informed she will be teaching on a small island. At least she still has a job, although a large chunk of her salary will have to go on rent, while her own flat will stand empty in Athens. Tonight she is travelling to her new posting to present herself at her new school, find accommodation, then return to Athens, pack and move as quickly as possible, as proper lessons will probably start on Monday. But as I said, the Ministry of Education only had three months to get the lists of appointments ready. Or did they return to work on 2nd September and then suddenly remember that they had to do this?
The Greek Orthodox priest came to my son's school to bless the school, teachers and children. So much for separation of Church and State, or freedom of religion. Then the children were sent home. No new books, not even a list of their stationery needs. Luckily I only work part-time so I was home when he returned--imagine how parents in full-time employment manage this.
Children in our old neighbourhood did get their books today, so I hope it's just a matter of time before the books arrive at my son's school. After all, they only had three months to get them ready... I guess they started distribution at the more privileged northern suburbs and the books will eventually trickle down to the working-class south-western suburbs. At least it looks as though there will be books this year, unlike two or three years ago, when children got CD-ROMs or were told to go online, download and print them.
I was just watching a brief report on TV, summarising the main changes implemented by 27 Ministers of Education in about 35 years. Sometimes a Minister's successor from the same political party would cancel the previous decision. A pupil who starts Senior High School cannot be certain the system will be the same when they graduate three years later.
You may recall my friend the teacher who was in limbo. Today she was finally informed she will be teaching on a small island. At least she still has a job, although a large chunk of her salary will have to go on rent, while her own flat will stand empty in Athens. Tonight she is travelling to her new posting to present herself at her new school, find accommodation, then return to Athens, pack and move as quickly as possible, as proper lessons will probably start on Monday. But as I said, the Ministry of Education only had three months to get the lists of appointments ready. Or did they return to work on 2nd September and then suddenly remember that they had to do this?
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