“If someone categorically refuses to be evaluated, they should have no place in the education system,” Mitsotakis declared. He went on to suggest that teachers opposing evaluation might face dismissal.

“We discussed the progress of the teacher evaluation process, and I believe we need to be honest here – it’s a new procedure, and it hasn’t yet delivered the expected results,” he added.

The PM also referred to developments in the education sector:

“The situation in our schools has improved. Since 2019, we’ve hired 39,000 permanent teachers, integrated English into kindergarten curriculum, and introduced technological upgrades with 36,000 interactive whiteboards and robotics kits. These developments make schools more engaging, creative, and interactive,” he stated.

He further claimed that there has been significant progress in diversifying the types of schools available, citing the establishment of experimental and “Onassis” public schools, as well as the “Marietta Giannakou” programme for the renovation of schools, with the first projects set to be completed by September.

“I am pleased to hear that proposals from the Institute of Educational Policy (IEP) are being considered to reduce the curriculum, focusing on quality rather than quantity,” Mitsotakis concluded.

Opposition party SYRIZA reacts to Mitsotakis’ visit: “He should be ashamed of the state of education, not making victory statements”

The centre-left opposition party SYRIZA strongly criticised Mitsotakis’ remarks.

“He should be ashamed, not making victory statements. Mr Mitsotakis continues with his meaningless visits to ministries, making announcements that demonstrate he has no coherent plan to support key pillars of the state such as education and healthcare, apart from serving private interests,” the party stated.

The party pointed out several areas where the government has failed, including the lack of support for public schools, the issue of school infrastructure, the unresolved staffing shortages in schools, and the barriers created by the Special Admission Threshold for university entrance, which leaves thousands of students without access to higher education and results in vacant places at public universities. SYRIZA also criticised the failure of the government’s evaluation system, patronage practices in public schools, and the disciplinary harassment of over 2,000 teachers, among other failures.

“They didn’t say a word about these issues because these are their political choices,” SYRIZA concluded.

KKE: “The PM deserves full marks in the subject of mythology”

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) also reacted harshly to the Prime Minister’s statements. “The PM could indeed be evaluated with top marks in the subject of Mythology, as he claimed to see a ‘better’ image in schools thanks to the introduction of ‘robotics kits’ and ‘interactive whiteboards’… Meanwhile, thousands of substitute teachers are forced to renew their contracts year after year to fill gaps even in the middle of the school year,” the KKE’s Press Office stated.

The party also noted that the vast majority of schools continue to face serious infrastructure problems, with only 5% of them set to be included in building renovation programmes. The party further criticised the government for promoting a two tier school system, where access to education is framed as an “opportunity,” pointing to the introduction of “Onassis schools” and the “unacceptable proposal” to have students choose their career paths at just 15 years old.

“The government of New Democracy is clearly threatened by the efforts of educators, parents, and students who are fighting for a high-quality, upgraded, and free public education system. This is the fundamental stance that teachers, parents, and students defend. And that’s why they reject the anti-educational criteria of the ‘evaluation’ process, which measures educational work according to reactionary standards of securing sponsors,” the KKE concluded.

Finally, the party pointed out that the government’s narrative in education, both in schools and universities, have been continuously disproven.

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