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- Ελληνικά
The President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Christodoulides visited today the Acropolis High School, on the occasion of the start of the new school year, accompanied by the Minister of Education Mrs. Athena Michaelidou.
Speaking to the children and teachers of the school, the President of the Republic said, among other things, that "I tried to feel how one feels on the first day of school. I have four children myself and I know from them what it is like to go back to school after the holidays. For some of you, it is the first day in the first grade and for some it will mark the last year in high school.
I went to the first grade in 1985, almost 40 years have passed, and I remember feeling quite strange, thinking about whether I would make new friends, whether I would be able to cope with the lessons. I remember back in 1987 when I finished high school, I didn't want it to end, I felt comfortable and worried about high school.
So today, I'm going back with you to my own early days in high school, my own school years and my own classmates. I feel the joy of meeting your friends again and I understand the feelings of all of you who are starting high school this year. I am sure, and I speak to you from personal experience, that at the end of the year you will not want the school to close.
Today, I am here, in addition to being a father today and a former student, as the President of the Republic, to speak to you directly and give you some thoughts and concerns about our education, to discuss with you, to listen to your opinions.
I have said it many times and it is not a slogan.
I have said it many times and it is not a slogan. For me and for the Government, Education, along with Health, are the two most important issues that we have to deal with during our administration.
Any issue we want to touch on from issues that we deal with every day is related to Education which affects horizontally everything we do in our daily behaviour, in how we are at home, in how we work, in how we behave in society.
Any issue we want to touch on is related to Education which affects horizontally everything we do in our daily behaviour, in how we are at home, in how we work, in how we behave in society. If you want to achieve anything as a government you have to start with Education.
And we think, and we have to admit, that our Education needs a lot of changes. We need to dare to respond to your needs before and above all else. It is for this reason that I have chosen to be with you today.
This school year, being the first of our administration, begins with several student-centered changes that we want to help you experience and learn from. It is particularly important for us to create within the school those conditions that will help you to develop your skills, your abilities, which I am sure are many.
When I took over the governance of the country on March 1, my first visit was to a school to talk to students, and this dialogue will continue throughout the school year, both with me and with the Minister and with the ministry officials and with your teachers.
We want you to have a voice and a role in shaping decisions, we want to hear from you, who are the first to be affected, what you don't like about school, what we need to change, what we need to adopt in school, so that you come to school in the morning happy and smiling, so that you are like that every day. And to achieve this we need to talk and discuss with you all the time and listen to your views.
We want to achieve an education system that establishes principles and values, that promotes knowledge and develops your skills, which for us is an innovation, a priority.
A system that enables experiential learning and creation, making the most of the necessary tools to nurture your individual aptitudes and talents - each of you has an aptitude and talent in one area. That is why it is important to talk to your teachers."
He added that "many times we who are not students, who are not the ones directly affected, make changes in the education system and decide either changes or innovations without talking to you, and that has proven to be a big mistake."
So one of the main reasons I am here today, apart from sending the message about the importance of education, is to encourage you to speak up. You have to speak up, you have to question, you have to ask again when you are not satisfied and generally there has to be an ongoing dialogue.
At the same time, we want our education system to empower our human resources. We want all of us, and I am addressing our teachers, who are a key component of our education system, to be able to respond adequately to the very demanding role, because the role of a teacher is very, very demanding. For this reason we are also introducing some innovations concerning teachers that will help them even more in performing their duties."
Finally, addressing the students, the President of the Republic said that "the most important thing for us is that you come to school happy and joyful, that you come to a place where you learn, create and help you develop your abilities and skills."
Finally, addressing the students, the President of the Republic said that "the most important thing for us is that you come to school happy and joyful, that you come to a place where you learn, create and help you develop your abilities and skills. Happy school year and I am ready to discuss any issue you want."
Subsequently, the President had a discussion with the students of the school, who raised various issues of concern to them.
Among others, the students raised the issue of no air conditioners in classrooms and the President promised that within three years, air conditioners will be installed in all schools.
Elsewhere in the dialogue with the children, the President said that the government is geared towards starting the vocational orientation of students from the 6th grade.
(PM/NG/SX)
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