It is with great pleasure that we are here for the award ceremony of the schools that have won the Competition for the promotion of gender equality and social inclusion, in the context of the prevention of violence and juvenile delinquency at school and the promotion of active citizenship.
The competition is now an institution and an expression of the close cooperation between the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (YPAN), the Ministry of Justice and Public Order and the Office of the Ombudsman. We thank our partners for this valuable and ongoing cooperation. The aim of the competition is to promote pedagogical practices that focus on raising awareness and tackling social inequality and exclusion. An approach in line with the 11 European Youth Objectives, which is why it was included in the actions for the European Year of Youth 2022. The National Coordinator of the Year is the Office of the Citizens' Commissioner.
The competition falls within the framework of the National Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Violence at School of the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Handling of Crime of the Ministry of Justice and Public Order and the objectives of the European Year of Youth 2022.
In addition to the actions included in either the National Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Violence at School or the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Management of Crime of the Ministry of Justice, as the competent authority already implements a number of policies and has established relevant regulations and provisions in the Operating Regulations in schools regarding the prevention, as well as the management of incidents of violence and delinquency, in order to serve the objective of inclusion.
By way of example, committees are activated in each school and tasks and responsibilities are assigned in relation to safety and the management of violence and delinquency. In addition, the structure of the Direct Intervention Team operates utilizing more than 140 teachers and school partners, always having the regular activity of the Educational Psychology Service and the Counselling and Vocational Education Service. Similar is the operation of the Observatory on Violence in Schools (PAVIS). Recently, decisions have been taken and implemented to use the institution of the Head of Department in the same direction. In particular, since there are teachers with the duties of Head of Department in the thousands of functioning departments and they are closer than anyone else to the life and functioning of groups of pupils in schools, they should be given duties and responsibilities of a preventive nature and the identification of any problems or undesirable trends. This is why we are moving, through the Pedagogical Institute of the Ministry of Education, to a process of regular training of all Heads of Department around issues of violence and delinquency and bullying. Therefore, in addition to such processes as this competition and awards that motivate and create role models, a network of regular actions and activities to promote equality and inclusive, non-discriminatory schooling is being developed at the CFCA.
The announcement of the competition to promote actions aimed at preventing and addressing violence, with the theme of promoting gender equality and social inclusion, took place during the last school year, another difficult and challenging school year. Schools were called upon to function to the best of their ability in pandemic conditions. For this, the schools and our teachers, as well as the children, are to be congratulated. It is with great joy and great satisfaction to see that in these conditions they have managed to respond and integrate such creative actions into the task already assigned to them.
An inclusive learning environment that promotes respect for difference and individuality creates conditions for a better quality of life for teachers, for pupils and for students, while at the same time being linked to improved learning outcomes. The concept of social inclusion gives a positive sign to the principles and values of a democratic school.
Our Ministry promotes social inclusion and gender equality through a holistic approach that includes the Curriculum, Policies, Legislation, synergies with relevant governmental and non-governmental institutions and continuous interaction with society. In short, with an interdisciplinary approach, all aspects and activities must give the message that our school is a school for all. The curriculum at all levels of education promotes the school logic of an open democratic society and is structured, supported and framed by the universal principles of human rights education. Policies and Legislation are our allies in our educational work because they underline the priorities of our Ministry. The MoE supports schools in multiple ways in respecting diversity and managing racism. The Ministry's policy on addressing approaches and behaviours that promote racial discrimination is a research-based tool to address any unwanted incidents through a holistic approach and within the context of school operating regulations.
Dear Children,
Our Ministry, like all of us, recognizes that there are differences between people, but we all remain equal. Conscious of diversity, we aim to ensure an environment of safety, respect and equality for all of you. We want you to be able to make the most of the educational opportunities available to you through activities that appeal equally to everyone, regardless of the different characteristics they may have. Any manifestation of behaviour based on prejudice or devaluation or even racially motivated hostility must be identified, recognised and dealt with promptly and decisively. That is why your own efforts in recognising and addressing any discrimination are important. We believe that the participation of schools in such a competition helps to ensure for yourselves and to project to others knowledge, skills and sensitivity that will make you literate citizens with humanity and democratic ethics, full and responsible personalities who know how to respect differences.
I warmly greet and congratulate the schools that participated in the Competition to promote gender equality and social inclusion. I am pleased and praise the opportunities for expression that you have given to students through innovative activities.
In addition to our teachers, I also congratulate the officials who worked on the implementation of the Competition. The officials of the Observatory on Violence in Schools, the officials of the Ministry of Justice and Public Order and the officials of the Office of the Ombudsman.
I greet with satisfaction and a sense of joy our partners from the Ministry of Justice and Public Order and from the Office of the Ombudsman. I underline our sense of responsibility to ensure the right of all children to live in schools that embrace them with acceptance and respect.
I wish you all well in your work and welcome valuable partnerships like this one.
(IK)
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