Upgrade and tangible results in the content of studies. Serious evaluation of fund management on an annual basis. New design of the regime regarding the detachment of teachers abroad. Gradual transition of Greek Schools to Bilingual Schools. Deepening and enrichment of Greek chairs in foreign universities. These are the main pillars that the Ministry of Education will follow on issues regarding the education of the Greek Diaspora.
The announcement was made yesterday by the Deputy Minister of Education, Lifelong learning and Religious Affairs, Ms. Evi Christofilopoulou, during a briefing she made at the meeting of the Special Permanent Committee of Hellenism of the Diaspora of the Greek Parliament.
“We are in the midst of a major change in the Ministry of Education, this major task involves Greek Education abroad as well” stated the Deputy Minister, indicating that the current situation does not foster optimism.
Waste of funding, detachment of teachers abroad without following criteria based on the numerical needs of students, or even “bogus” detachments of people who have not even moved from Greece, educational programmes that do not correspond to the educational needs of the 21st century, Greek schools which do not form a splendid learning example, are, as she stated herself, issues that need to be addressed, requiring intersections and reforms.
A serious issue, as Ms. Christofilopoulou explained, arises from the financing of Greek chairs in universities abroad as no evidence was found by the Grants Committee for Higher Education Institutions Abroad of the Special Secretariat of Education for the Diaspora and Intercultural Education, on how, when and under what criteria 450.000 Euros were allocated in grants for the year 2008, over the last year of the Commission.
On the issue of detachments of teachers abroad, she stated that, over 2400 teachers are currently detached to serve 58.242 students, whilst in 2004 the number of teachers that had been detached amounted to 1.700, a great increase which was not connected with the reorganisation and amelioration of the educational system and provided services. On the contrary, it is evident that in some countries teachers are redundant, whilst in countries which are lower on the scale of preference a lack of teaching staff is identified.
Among the immediate priorities of the Ministry is the promotion, wherever possible, of the integration of Greek language in the curriculum of other countries, starting from elementary school, as well as the upgrade of certificates on education carried out in Greek language in Germany, while on the issue of certification of Greek language for teaching, the deputy minister stated that it is already under way.
The members of the Committee made reference to the shortcomings of the education of the Greek Diaspora, as well as the issue of detached teachers abroad, the failure of Greek schools, the problems on teaching materials, the lack of an organized plan for the preservation of Greek departments abroad, the misuse and waste of funds and lastly the need to evaluate the work of Education and teachers. The need for a better coordination and cooperation of responsible bodies was also underlined.
The Vice President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) and coordinator of SAE Region Europe, Mr. Giorgos Amarantidis, pointed out the need to redefine the objectives of Greek education abroad as well as quality assurance in education, by submitting relevant proposals.
SAE Secretary, Ms. Olga Sarantopoulou, emphasized on the need to upgrade the Education of the Diaspora in countries of Latin America and former USSR countries.
Summing up, Ms. Christofilopoulou stated that a broader, overall design is already in progress for a first systematic registration, with complete data on shortcomings and priorities, whilst a document by the Minister of Education Ms. Diamantopoulou has already been sent, requesting Education Inspectors to provide full details on all areas.
A digital school and blended learning, as well as a better exploitation of human recourses of the Diaspora with smaller salaries or voluntary work, is another issue which must be taken care of.
The shift is clear, concluded the Deputy Minister.
(Source: ANA–MPA)
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