"We aim for education to systematically strengthen its social and national role and to foster the values of freedom, democracy, and peace," said Athina Michailidou, Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth, in her message marking the start of the school year.
Addressing the student body and educators, the Minister noted that the start of every school and academic year marks the beginning of a new period of learning, creativity, and personal growth, as well as the beginning of acquiring valuable knowledge and experiences. “It is the moment when our schools and universities come alive again through the presence, vitality, and expectations of our students, teachers, and academics,” he said.
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For the government, he noted, the return to classrooms and lecture halls is a paramount responsibility. “Our goal is to ensure a safe, well-organized, and high-quality educational environment that will actively support the goals of the younger generation. Our schools and universities are the cornerstones of development for our society and our country,” she emphasized.
Noting the commitment to the human-centered dimension of education, the Minister said that reforms, innovations, and the resolution of long-standing issues are continuing.
“We are modernizing the teaching and learning environment. We are streamlining and enriching the curriculum with new subjects. We are upgrading the physical infrastructure at all educational levels and fully leveraging the potential of technological advancements. At the same time, we are adopting scientifically grounded pedagogical tools, creating the right conditions to encourage active participation, foster healthy curiosity, and develop critical thinking through hands-on experience,” he said.
As he said, “We want a modern, high-quality, and inclusive school. A school that is effective, that will be a source of joy and creativity, that will broaden your horizons, and that will recognize and strengthen your individual and collective efforts. At the same time, we seek to ensure that education systematically reinforces its social and national role. To cultivate the values of freedom, democracy, and peace. To draw on history and contribute significantly to the future.”
At the same time, Ms. Michailidou spoke of “consistent investment in the upgrading of higher education,” strengthening universities as centers of knowledge and development for society and the economy. “We are strengthening their operations, their research activities, their internationalization and outreach, with the aim of fostering capable scientists who are ready to contribute to the progress of our country and all of humanity,” he emphasized.
Key participants and leaders in this process of change are the educational and academic communities, he added. “We are grateful for the contributions all of you have made to education in our country. I am certain that, by guiding children with love and patience toward acquiring useful knowledge, you will, for yet another year, the bridge connecting the younger generation to the creative development of society and to meeting the challenges of the future,” she said.
Addressing the students who are returning to their desks tomorrow, the Minister said, “we want your entire educational and learning journey to become a creative journey, through which you will build your character, with values and knowledge that will accompany you throughout your lives,” urging the students to embrace this journey with an open mind and respect for those around them, and to make the most of the opportunities they are given to explore and experiment.
“Make room for the horizons opening up before you, but hold high the principles of humanity, solidarity, healthy cooperation, democracy, and justice,” he concluded.
Source: CNA
