The decision of the Ministry of Education become distance learning on Thursday (and Friday) brings once again the educators and the government into direct conflict.
The educational federations have made it clear in all tones in the past few days that tele-education from the teachers' point of view will only take place from the school premises and only with the equipment of the school units.
Teachers cite the Telework Law passed by the government in 2021 (4807/2021), which clearly provides for the provision of special technological equipment to employees when teleworking is decided.
The article states the following:
«1. The department of the institution responsible for providing equipment and information support shall supply the official with the telecommunications equipment and technological devices necessary and appropriate for the effective performance of his duties by teleworking (hereinafter referred to as the «teleworking station») and shall provide support for its installation, if the official so wishes...».
Tough stance by the Ministry
Education Ministry sources said on Wednesday that those teachers who cannot travel to schools for tele-education must do so from home, even by taking their school computers home. It is doubtful whether this is feasible and whether the total equipment of a school unit is sufficient for all its teachers.
The same sources also underlined that «it is good that educators listen to the calls of the Ministry, not their unions», while at the same time leaving open the possibility of sanctions for those who do not comply.
Under these circumstances, of course, what kind of tele-education will take place on Thursday and Friday remains to be seen. But even if all the teachers reach the schools, it is clear that the existing infrastructure cannot cope with the titanic task of tele-education.
However, the Ministry's statement reads as follows:
«Tomorrow, Thursday, 27.1.2022 and Friday, 28.1.2022, in all areas of the country in which the operation of schools is suspended following decisions of municipalities or regions, a tele-education will be held in order to allow sufficient time for the restoration of normal traffic and the operation of schools. In other areas, schools will operate normally.
- In those schools that will reopen tomorrow Thursday 27.1.2022, students will carry out the self-test today, Wednesday 26.1.2022, and in any case before they arrive at school tomorrow. Similarly, in any school reopening after a suspension, students will self-test before attending school. The next self-test will be carried out on the next scheduled day (for attendance Tuesday - Friday).
