EDUCATION
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"Education is equivalent to a
permanent contract between the place and the future."
POLITICAL SPRING DECLARATION OF 30 JUNE 1993
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The country that gave birth to philosophy today leads its children into the
shackles of mechanistic and uncritical memorization and educational migration.
The country that cultivated scientific thought today produces unemployed
graduates and not scientists capable of participating in any way in the
technological revolution and the prospects of competition that the third
millennium foreshadows.
Education is not only a matter of budget and cold enrollment. It is mainly a
matter of inspiration, vision, love, faith, rationality, consistency and
continuity.
The educational system must at all its levels combine responsibility with
feeling, logic with faith, discipline with freedom, training with education, the
connection of the young man's potential with meritocracy.
Since its inception, Political Spring has been firmly committed to the study of
the needs of Education, aiming at tomorrow. For Spring, the issue of Education
is not a party issue.
It is a national issue.
We are already going through the last five years of the 20th century, during
which the characteristics of the 21st century, which is coming, are being
formed. National borders are no longer an obstacle to communication. The avenues
for the circulation of information between states and peoples have been widely
opened. Today it is recognized by everyone that modern society is a "knowledge
society". This knowledge society is based exclusively on Education. Human
capital objectively becomes the most critical and necessary element and
component of the future prosperity of every country.
In this new reality, a country's advantage will be derived, from its ability to
make sufficient use of the globally available knowledge. And the quality of the
human factor will now determine the type of development of each society. The
battle of the 21st century will be won by countries whose societies are made up
of citizens with social education, solid cultural bases and solid knowledge, on
which the production and application of new knowledge, methods and technologies
will be based.
This Human Capital is produced within the Education System and at all its
levels. We must realize that the policy that will successfully lead our Nation
to exist in "tomorrow", through today's reality of merciless competition, is the
one that will decide to proceed, to a brave increase in Investments and not
Expenditures, for Education. The financing of Education is not a consumption, so
it can be characterized as an expense, it is an investmentand in fact, the most
productive.
Education is the most important support of man for the formation of his
personality.
Through an integrated Education System, the young person in search of the
meaning of life and the destination of man:
He will appreciate the universal value of Freedom, cultivating self-respect,
while respecting the freedom of the other.
It will fight for the preservation of World Peace, realizing that war has no
winners and losers, only losers more or less.
He will feel the duty to contribute with his active participation to the
preservation of the Historical and Cultural Heritage.
He will seek the acquisition of Quality of Life, loving and caring for the
Environment.
Only in this way is Education recognized as a necessity for the many and not as
a privilege for the few.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Preschool Education began to gain ground from the moment it became clear that
the need for an institution that would be the transitional stage from
kindergarten to childhood and school age became clear.
It is accepted by all experts - educators and psychologists - that the first six
years of a child's life are decisive for his subsequent normal development.
During these years, his character and personality were formed.
This stage acquires the highest role because it is called upon to prepare the
child's trouble-free integration into school, respecting the growth rate of each
child separately, but expressed within the group with other children of the same
age. It is also called upon to take all those measures that are necessary to
eliminate any individual problems or deviations that exist and can be identified
in this age category.
Therefore, the institution of Preschool Education constitutes a serious social
need and is the first but decisive step of our Educational System.
It is the duty of the State to place special emphasis on the objectives and the
means that this Educational Level uses:
In order to ensure the successful outcome of its efforts, it should be
understood that preschool education is not so much aimed at imparting knowledge,
but at activating the cognitive mechanisms of this age. In this way, the infant
learns how to "learn" in essence.
To become aware that another very basic goal of the school is also to be able to
ensure the building of healthy personalities and the smooth adaptation and
integration of the child into school life.
POLITICAL SPRING, realizing the seriousness of the goals of pre-school
education, proposes radical changes in the context of a substantial and in-depth
Educational Reform and demands:
To establish Preschool Education as a necessary educational level and to
institutionalize two-year compulsory attendance in Kindergarten, from the age of
3 1/2 to 5 1/2 years. Therefore, it is primarily necessary to transform the
institution of the 9-year-old into 11-year compulsory education.
To give the institution, as far as the construction, the logistical
infrastructure and the operational needs of the Kindergarten are concerned, to
the Local Government, in the context of a real Decentralization and the
suppression of the Athenian-centric state and the bureaucracy of the central
power. The Ministry of Education should be responsible for the basic Curriculum
for the basic principles that govern the institution. We believe that it is the
most effective way that will ensure equal opportunities for all children and the
functionality of the institution.
To ensure the financial support of the institution in order to ensure its
adequate and unhindered operation. The State, in the context of a genuine
Decentralization, along with the transfer of responsibilities to the Local
Government, should also transfer to it those resources that provide it with its
financial independence.
Serious care should be taken to improve the knowledge provided to teachers of
this level. The seriousness of the institution requires that it be implemented
by officials with a high sense of responsibility for their difficult work. The
Pedagogical Departments of HEIs for this level need not only the reform of the
curricula, but also the assurance that the students in them are the most
suitable.
To establish departments for the continuous training of Kindergarten teachers,
where all of them will attend them at regular intervals.
PRIMARY EDUCATION
Primary Education is the most decisive step of our Educational System, since it
is called upon to introduce students, from the age of about 6 years, to the
processes of acquisition, assimilation and processing of knowledge. It is also
called upon to create all the necessary conditions for a smooth social
integration, in a constantly changing and complex social environment. It is the
widest and most organized society in the child's consciousness, after his close
family environment and after Kindergarten.
In such a demanding role, today's school of this level is difficult to respond,
since we all admit that it lacks the elementary prerequisites.
Political Spring, having identified the weaknesses of this level and believing
that a revolutionary educational reform is needed that would make the Primary
School worthy and capable of facing the increased needs of the modern era,
proposes a new school model.
Such a competitive school, which is based on the logic of what kind of person we
want to create for the future, requires at least:
The evolution and establishment of the Primary School into an all-day,
attractive and creative school, which can detect, discover, cultivate and
develop the child's inclinations and skills.
The readjustment of the program and the books, so that they are in line with the
current developments in the social and pedagogical-scientific field. At the same
time, the European direction of this level should be enshrined, in order to
prepare children from this age to want to become citizens of Europe. At the same
time, however, it must cultivate the perception that Europe is the big family
within which respect for the national identity of its peoples is ensured, with
absolute respect for their historical and cultural heritage.
The introduction in Primary Education of modern teaching methods that put the
relationship between teacher and student on a new basis.
The introduction of courses that promote the pursuit of Quality of Life. (Health
Education, Environmental Education, Traffic Education).
The cultivation of students with Art Education courses.
The introduction of compulsory teaching of a foreign language from the third
grade of primary school, along with the introduction of a second optional
foreign language from the fifth grade.
The development of School Sports, during the hours of creative activity, in
order to achieve the experiential goal of the Physical Education course.
The acquaintance and elementary education of students with the new forms of
teaching or searching for information through computers. Informatics should be
introduced from primary school to education, even in the form of a simple
acquaintance of children with the possibilities that this can offer in the
educational process.
The immediate implementation of remedial teaching. In the context of an all-day
school, this is both possible and necessary. Because it provides substantial
help to students who have learning disabilities in compulsory subjects and who
resort to tutoring from this age.
For the Political Spring, such a package of measures can lead to the substantial
upgrade of Primary Education. For this, however, a genuine and radical
Educational Reform is required that takes into account the fact that primary
school lays the most decisive foundations for the child's later student and
social course. This will be the trigger for the adaptation of Primary Education
to modern conditions, both pedagogical, social and political-economic.
SECONDARY EDUCATION
Secondary Education is the field of conflict, for the role it has to play in the
formation of human resources. Today's school of this level does not correspond
to such a role. It is universally acknowledged that the Greek family consumes
huge amounts, mainly at this level, trying to meet the needs that it perceives
to be required, for the future and the prospects of its children. This fact
ranks our country among the first, in a global table, in private expenditure on
education. The oxymoron, from this observation, is that this is what happens in
a country that claims to provide Free Education and that some in it "fight
vigorously" for the preservation of both its "Public" and "Free" character.
Political Spring firmly believes that a comprehensive Educational Reform is
needed in order to bring about a complete rebirth of our Educational System.
This Reformation, in order to be oriented towards the Future and the creation of
this Man, must adequately respond to the needs of tomorrow by:
An attractive and creative All-Day School, which cultivates the young person,
with courses in Humanities Education and at the same time can discover,
cultivate and promote his inclinations and skills. It has been shown that the
most durable educational goods, which constitute the personality of man, so that
man can determine himself, are only the Classics. Humanity is barbarized as it
moves away from classical education. It is also known that Western civilization
became dominant, precisely because it was based on classical civilization. In
Aristotle, Plato and Thucydides, there are most and most complete answers to the
modern problems of man.
The partial or even total reform of the content and program of the taught
courses. The existing ones can in no way monitor and provide supplies, necessary
for modern needs. The world today is changing at a dizzying pace and the
inadequacy of our Educational System is very obvious, since it is based on
outdated structures and methods.
The establishment of the multiple or alternative book. Most secondary school
books, even when they are not poorly written or poorly printed, do not serve
modern goals. It is unacceptable to write books for the needs of Education, with
a simple assignment and without transparent procedures. It would undoubtedly be
much better if the textbook were the product of a competition and the strictest
selection, by a Pedagogical Institute, worthy and capable of such a decisive
role.
The investigation and application of New Teaching Methods, whereby through them,
the acquisition of real knowledge, the development of critical thinking and the
ability to compose will be achieved. Today, in most subjects, the control of the
acquisition of knowledge is concerned with the control of the student's ability
to parrot and not with the control of real understanding and critical thinking.
The introduction of Modern Technology at this entire level, so that new learning
techniques are an integral part of the education provided. The globalization of
knowledge requires immediate adaptation, so that our country does not remain a
mere spectator of these rapid developments.
The serious and methodical implementation of School Vocational Guidance. Such a
serious case, which listens to the inclinations of children, cannot be applied
by teachers without qualifications and without passion, with the only criterion
being how they will complete their working hours, within the same school unit.
The SEP Consultant must have studied the subject, with studies in Sociology and
Psychology and deal exclusively with it. He must also have the opportunity to
deal with each child separately in cooperation with parents and teachers, when
he needs it, and in their own space, which will be the counselor's office,
within the school unit. Self-awareness, the main purpose of the implementation
of the SEP, is best achieved with the special approach of each child
individually.
The introduction of new Courses related to Social Orientation, Environmental
Awareness, Visual Culture, Health Education, Road Education and Informatics.
Also, the second Foreign Language must be taught in all classes of this level.
One as compulsory and the second as an option, but students will be allowed to
choose both languages, if they have the opportunity or if they wish.
The development of School Sports, with the upgrading of the Physical Education
subject in Secondary Education. This will be implemented by increasing the
teaching hours in the weekly program, in order to primarily achieve the
experiential purpose of the course, but at the same time to detect sports
talents in a timely manner. It is also necessary to support the course with the
necessary infrastructure, as well as with the establishment of Sports
Activities, as a chosen activity of the students.
Remedial Teaching, which can significantly help the weakest students, during
off-hours of compulsory courses, as an option but also as an objective need. It
is understood that the implementation of such an institution, which is generally
accepted and useful, necessarily requires the operation of an all-day school.
The Liberation of the Lyceum from access to Higher Education. We believe that
only in this way will the Lyceum acquire its autonomous and educational
character and cease to be the antechamber for Higher Education. Besides, the
existing system can in no way be considered meritocratic, since in most of the
subjects examined it evaluates the candidate's ability to memorize. Thus, it
remains in the consciousness of the people only as impeccable, due to the way
the writings are graded and the overall score is extracted. The Lyceum must be
Unified and Multi-Directional, with general courses and elective courses. His
high school diploma must be a qualification that also gives some professional
rights. It should also be a certificate of admission for further training in
Technical Vocational Education Centres. For admission to Universities, a
one-year Preparatory Department should be institutionalized, in each School
separately, with a syllabus that will be determined exclusively by the School
itself.
The Education and continuous training of Secondary Education teachers, so that
there is a need for institutional regulation of basic problems of pre-school,
primary and secondary education. There is a need for decentralization and
improvement of infrastructure for high-level teacher education and training, for
continuous evaluation of the educational process and for upgrading the position
of teachers.
There is a need for:
Continuous Evaluation of the Teacher and his/her work. It is unacceptable that
the more serious and important, according to common confession, a function, such
as It is widely characterized.
Decentralization of our Teacher System, which is not only an objective need for
today, but also a standing request of all the Congresses of the Trade Union
Bodies of the Educational. We believe that this will be a very powerful antidote
to the centralization and the bureaucracy of central power.
Solving the salary problem of the Greek teacher, which has been for years now It
receives everyone's sympathy and only great promises. His right Like every
worker, in a dignified life, it is elementary and in fact, it concerns that
employee, whom the State wants to definition and model and dignified and
undistracted in its function. A function that has to do with the children of the
people and tomorrow's citizens, who must be taught Freedom and Dignity. This Of
course, it presupposes that these virtues are taught by a A teacher, who above
all, feels himself both dignified and free.
HIGHER EDUCATION
About the TEIs. It is incomprehensible to be in a hermaphrodite regime. The
immediate change of its institutional framework is urgent for their gradual and
under certain conditions, within the framework of the expansion of the
University system.
About Universities. There is the need for a new institutional framework in which
the relationship is fully defined State and Universities, with the aim of
gradually abolishing all forms of bureaucratic dependence of HEIs on the State.
According to the Constitution, the Education is under the supervision of the
State.
However, this supervision is on the one hand, suffocating for public
institutions, and on the other hand, non-existent for all kinds of private
institutions. State supervision means that the State determines the operating
framework in which it should The University and any other equivalent institution
are being adapted. Means also audit the financial management and evaluation of
the expected result. It does not mean bureaucratic dependence on the government.
There is, therefore, a need for:
Eliminate any bureaucratic intervention, taking into account the situation in
the Education in the European Union (implementation of decentralisation
principles and institutions, full self-government, administrative and economic).
Elimination of gigantism of the Universities. Creation of flexible Institutions
that have the ability to monitor scientific developments in a national and
global level.
Enabling public universities to creation of decentralized branches, either
independently or in cooperation with other Public Law Bodies.
Granting autonomy to the University Departments for a administrative and
financial decentralization within each HEI.
Institutionalization of study cycles:
General University Education (with (corresponding qualification)
Bachelor's degree, with multiple choice of directions Studies
Postgraduate Studies
Determination of the minimum required correspondence, per student, teachers and
logistical infrastructure.
Reform of the way faculty members are selected and developed, with the aim of
staffing HEIs with high-level teaching-research staff (Establishment of
voluntary exit and establishment of new positions, under the responsibility of
the Departments and act of the Rector's Council).
Reform of the method of selection- admission of students to universities, so
that, among other things, the and to put an end to the nationally damaging
phenomenon of student immigration.
This will be achieved by establishing the preparatory year, the establishment of
new HEIs, HEIs branches, repositioning of the Technological Educational
Institutes, within the framework of the expansion of the University system and
with the use of spatial criteria, but also within the the framework of the
administrative autonomy of universities.
And, of course, with the increase the potential of existing universities to
provide more students, after generous grants.
The system of the free higher education (for those who successfully meet the
various selection conditions). At the same time, for the others, supplementary
selection system through the scoreboards, in percentage of the total, with
predetermined criteria, by the interested parties Institutions, but with the
payment of tuition.
Reform of the examination procedure and promotion of students, in order to put
an end to the phenomenon of chronic students and to upgrade the efficiency of
the system.
EPILOGUE
Since its inception, Political Spring has pointed out and has confirmed with the
conclusions of its first Congress, the urgent need for Qualitative Upgrading of
Education.
He believes that it is unacceptable for fact, international leaps are being made
to adapt to the needs of the future and we in the country that taught Education
and Culture throughout the to aim at convergence with Europe, with the economic
indicators only. He knows that the inadequate funding of Education, is reflected
in both the Economy and Society and is the first an expression of the coming
crisis.
He fully understands that it is not the material conditions that force states to
invest in Education. And this, because the quality of education also depends on
the future GDP, but mainly the Quality of Democracy and the Political System of
each country.
For the Political Spring, the goal must be the European unification of the
Citizens, by highlighting the value of the Human Being. This requires
convergence, especially in the field of education and knowledge. And in order to
achieve this, it is necessary to define Greek Education as a matter of national
importance, which requires broad cross-party consensus and effort.
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