N. Filis: «Appeal to extend school holidays for a few days»

Call to extend the school break by a few days, states in a statement Nikos Filis, Head of the Education Sector of SYRIZA-PS, «so that our children are not turned into guinea pigs and schools do not become hotspots for the spread of the disease and the virus to families and teachers.”.

In his statement, Mr. Filis criticizes the government for “reopening schools on Monday without proper safeguards”, with just one additional self-test, supposedly citing international experience,” and emphasizes: «A short extension of the holidays is necessary to allow the National Health System to catch its breath, at a time when Greece holds the world record—relative to its population—for the number of cases, deaths, and patients in ICUs».

In his statement, he also points out: «In other countries, vaccination is universal, while here it lags behind, especially among young people—and this is not the fault of their families. In other countries, classes are closed with just 1 or 2 cases. Here, the 50+1% rule remains in effect, meaning at least 12 children must fall ill for a class to be closed. This measure was decided unilaterally by the government. It is a measure of political expediency rather than epidemiological responsibility. In other countries, PCR tests are provided free of charge; here, they cost a fortune. In other countries, high-protection masks are distributed free of charge to students and teachers. Not here. In other countries, the number of students per class has not increased, as was absurdly done here this year.».

The former Minister of Education emphasizes that «SYRIZA-PS is calling for the opinions of many experts to be heard, as well as the concerns of parents and teachers. Schools should not reopen on Monday for just a few days, until the wave of the pandemic has subsided.”. A short extension of the holidays is necessary to give the National Health System a breather, at a time when Greece holds the world record—relative to its population—for the number of cases, deaths, and patients in ICUs. Abolish the 50+1%, which acts as a mechanism for the transmission of the coronavirus. »Schools must operate safely, and children must return to their natural environment soon.".