Kythira High School, a modern school.
The Kythera High School today is housed in a new building, constructed as an extension to the old traditional building that has been operating since the early 20th century.no century.
From the beginning of its use in 1999, the new building presented structural-constructional problems, which were effectively addressed only by interventions - repairs made after 2015.
Although previous municipal authorities have always shown interest in the needs of the school, the result of the repairs and interventions in the building was not always as expected, either due to sloppiness, poor workmanship, or poor assessment of needs.
Several of today's candidates for municipal office, former students of the Kythera High School, of whom I am proud, will of course remember that on rainy days we used to spend the first hour of class collecting the water that had flooded the ground floor from the pyramidal structure of the atrium and from the two north windows in the staircase to the floor.
During the Mayoralty of Th. Koukoulis, an attempt was made to waterproof the pyramidal construction of the atrium, from which the ground floor of the school was flooded. The beautiful original structure was replaced by shoddy flat Plexiglas but even from there, after about a year, water began to flood the space again. A similar situation existed at the two north windows, which, although only used for lighting, were openable and water entered unobstructed and flooded the marble staircase. Plexiglas was then put in place which it was thought would block the water, which it did not. Valuable resources were wasted to no avail.
Only in 2018 during the mayoralty of the current Mayor, Stratos Harhalakis, a serious repair of the pyramidal structure was made and the opening north windows were replaced by beautiful fixed glass blocks and the problem was solved.
Many more construction issues were taken care of during the two terms of the current municipal government.
Beyond that, however, the organization and effectiveness of the present municipal authority were clearly shown in the management and management of equipment and daily operation issues. For years, the school suffered from shortages and delays in the supply of consumables. During the mayoralty of Th. Koukoulis, the then deputy mayor of Education, carried the consumables and cleaning materials to the school himself. Touching, I say, but what does it show? Does it show a lack of administrative capacity, or an inability to organize the services? Since 2015 and until today, a phone call about current needs is enough and everything necessary arrives at the school without delay.
Resources were made available so that both schools, High School and High School have full, modern digital equipment in all classrooms! The school computer lab, fully modernized in 2022, would be the envy of even expensive private schools. The repairs, interventions made in the courtyard of the schools, apart from security, also provide two beautifully landscaped sports fields for sports not only for the students but also for the wider local community.
Another major issue that has been plaguing the entire school community since 2004 is the lack of adequate classrooms seems to be heading towards a solution. The request to build new classrooms was made in 2004 as it was determined at that time that the existing classrooms were not adequate. Since then and up to the present day, two classes of the high school have been attending classes in rooms originally intended for other uses.
The Municipal Authority under Stratos Harhalakis requested and succeeded in funding the extension studies of the school complex from the Attica Regional Development Plan, having secured funding for the main project from the CIP, as announced by the Region. The relevant contract between the Region and KTYP SA was signed in January 2023 and the studies are already underway. This means efficiency.
There is no magic wand. From the identification of a need to the implementation - execution of the relevant project, there are complex and time-consuming procedures. One must have experience, know-how, the ability to use the available resources and to navigate the labyrinthine spaces of public administration in order to achieve the best possible result. And these gifts have been demonstrated by the current Mayor. To daydream, to envision tennis courts and swimming pools in school complexes is beautiful and who wouldn't want to anyway, but a capable leader should have his feet firmly on the ground and be able to plan realistic and achievable projects after prioritizing needs.
Stavroula Fatsa
Director of Kythera High School
Candidate Municipal Councillor
Kythira - Antikythera
NEW DAY
