‘It’s more than just a nice building’
The prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the public in the morning Onassis schools In Peristeri, two of the total 22 schools across the country that are upgraded to Standard Schools donated by the Onassis Foundation, of which 12 have already been converted to DIMOS.
The Prime Minister, accompanied by the Minister of Education, Religions and Sports Sofia Zacharakis and the Mayor of Peristeri Andrea Pachatouridis, He was guided to the renovated facilities of the 5th Gymnasium and the 5th General High School of Peristeri by the President of the Onassis Foundation Antonis Papadimitriou and the Director of the High School, Ioannis Maniatakos. The prime minister talked to students and teachers, who conveyed their impressions from the first days of implementing this new institution to public education.
As part of the work done in the two public Onassis schools in Dove, Places of 6,000 square meters were renovated, the yards and six stadiums were upgraded, while the logistical equipment was renewed.
The schedule of public schools is based on that of model schools, with an emphasis on humanities, positive and social sciences, arts, digital education and social – emotional intelligence. In addition, there are groups and sets for sciences, languages, arts, culture and sports, as well as for the preparation for nationwide exams, activities that are open to students in other schools in the same area.
Attendance is free and the majority of students come from the local community.
Following the tour, the prime minister said: “I want, first of all, to say a very big thank you to Mr. Antonis Papadimitriou and to all the executives of the Onassis Foundation, who worked so methodically that the new school year will welcome us with the first public schools.
When, for the first time, Mr. Papadimitriou presented to me this idea, I have to tell you that I was really excited, because it is a very important contribution of the Onassis Foundation to Public Education.
The purpose is to have 22 such schools first, as you can see fully redefined, with new stadiums, new frames, new toilets, new equipment.
But public nationals are more than just a nice building, including important teachers’ training programs, the use of new technologies. I was really happy because in the classes I visited I saw interactive boards in operation everywhere. They are schools that will be at the forefront for the proper and good use of artificial intelligence, so that it is a real tool for both our children and our teachers.
They are schools that will offer additional activities, groups, other activities for our children. And I think that the greatest satisfaction for me, for the Minister of Education, for all education executives, is when we see smiling faces, smiling kids, smiling teachers and teachers, who really embrace this great public and private partnership, which has led to this.
So let’s wish a good start. To say that our government will continue to invest systematically in public education and I wish the lessons and courses that we will draw from the public nationals to be able to, and Minister, can then transcend them throughout the education.
I basically understand these schools as innovation workshops for a new model of education that will be able to prepare our children with those knowledge and those skills for this fascinating but also uncertain, world that opens in front of us.
Mayor, I am very glad that one of the schools was here, in our beloved Peristeri. The truth is that I particularly insisted on one of the schools in Peristeri. And with the good and the completion of the rest. Good start. “
The President of the Onassis Foundation, Antonis Papadimitriou, said: “I would like to thank the Prime Minister, Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who enthusiastically – I must say – accepted our proposal to make our 22 publicly -friendly schools. You will allow me, Mr Prime Minister, to mention Mr Pierrakakis, whose minister, as Minister of Education, was passed the bill, with a two -party majority in Parliament.
Public Onassic Schools are mainly public schools, they serve public education, children do not pay – it is ever – ever. We at the Onassis Foundation support the public character of education and stand in the state and the Ministry of Education, to make the public school a school that will love children, love parents and love teachers. “
The Mayor of Peristeri Andreas Pachatouridis said: “I would like to thank the Prime Minister, Mr. Mitsotakis, who is here today, the Minister, Mrs Zacharakis. President, as you can see, is another school. From the first day they started, the children are thrilled by the new change.
I would also like to thank the Onassis Foundation, who did a truly wonderful job and now in Peristeri there is an Onassis, which is an added value for education. Be well, thank you very much. “