No one has left out people who have worked, said the Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth, Athina Michailidou, said on Saturday in response to a question regarding the backlash over the abolition of the list of appointees, calling on the relevant stakeholders to wait and see the Ministry’s final proposal, which is expected to be released at the end of July.

“It is important to engage in a dialogue so that we can help shape the final positions,” she noted.

“This can’t go on any longer; the list must be abolished,” said Ms. Michaelidou, reiterating that she would not exclude people who have worked in the profession for years.

When asked to comment on the strong reactions regarding the abolition of the list of candidates for appointment—against the backdrop of a petition drive on the issue— the Minister of Education said that the abolition of the list of candidates for appointment is not a new issue; it is an issue that dates back 10 years.

“So, we should have voiced strong objections 10 years ago if we wanted things to be different today,” she said.

Nevertheless, he noted, “the position of our Ministry and the government more broadly is clear: We are moving forward with these measures through dialogue—details of which I cannot yet disclose because I respect the ongoing discussions we are having with educators’ organizations, and soon with parents and our other partners; but at the same time, we also recognize prior service, which is what those who are protesting want.”

The Minister pointed out that “we don’t just have the people who have been working in schools in recent years and knew that in 2027 the list of eligible candidates will be abolished, leaving us with the exams—which is what we’re regulating— we also have thousands of young people who want to enter the profession, and we cannot deny them this opportunity.” “So, we are indeed hearing this outcry, and we stand right alongside them,” she said.

Ms. Michailidou assured that “the final solution will be a balanced one, and we hope for participation in the dialogue.” Otherwise, she wondered, “how will we manage to achieve this balanced solution, one that provides opportunities for young people, maintains the exam as an important tool while correcting all distortions, but at the same time recognizes and respects prior work experience?” “So, no one has left out people who have worked,” she noted.

Ms. Michaelidou urged everyone to wait and see the Ministry’s final proposal.

“We said that by the end of July we would also provide our positions in writing,” she said. It is important, she emphasized, “to engage in a dialogue so that we can jointly shape the final positions; and thus, once they are finalized, they should share their views with us by October, when we’ll go to Parliament—we’ll be open to them.” “The Ministry will always listen to well-structured, very specific suggestions and opinions so that we can achieve the best possible outcome for everyone,” he added.

In response to a comment that the Ministry is moving toward a balanced solution that will not exclude any educator, Ms. Michaelidou said that it would not exclude people who have worked in the profession for years.

However, in response to a journalist’s comment that the list is being abolished, the Minister of Education said that “This can’t go on any longer; it must be abolished, giving these people the opportunity to be part of the new system, otherwise in the next 2 or 3 years we’ll have the same problem all over again.”

When asked about her presence at the POFEN conference, Ms. Michaelidou said that “The student organizations and their representatives are here; it is our duty to be here to listen to the concerns and suggestions of our students.”

“Our students—and young people more broadly—are the voice of optimism for the future; we listen to them regularly through structured dialogue. Nevertheless, today’s event is an extremely important opportunity to hear everyone’s suggestions,” he added. He emphasized that they are investing in young people.

“Our recent experience with the Presidency of the Council of the European Union gave us the opportunity to prioritize measures to facilitate these channels for our young people’s participation in ,” she said.

“Therefore,” added the Minister of Education, “our young people should not merely be present; they should be involved before policies are formulated, throughout the preparation of our policies, the formulation of our policies, and their monitoring and evaluation.”

“So, we are giving our young people a voice, and today I will have the opportunity, from this podium here at the Conference, to outline our Government’s priorities for young people and especially for our student unions,” he concluded.

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Source: CNA