Corfu, February 19 – The Corfu Primary Teachers’ Association (SEPE) has voiced its profound concern and anger over recent statements made by the Deputy Mayor of Education of the Municipality of Central Corfu on a local television station. The Deputy Mayor’s remarks indicated that “in view of September, we will face more problems with the closure of certain schools located in rented premises, and private owners of leased schools are taking them back through legal actions.” SEPE interprets this as an announcement of the dissolution of the 13th Primary School of Corfu, a move they successfully opposed last year.
The Threat to the 13th Primary School
The proposed dissolution would involve the distribution of the school’s approximately 100 students to other schools, specifically the 7th, 9th, and Mantouki Primary Schools. SEPE views this not merely as an “administrative solution” to a long-standing issue of school housing, but as a deeply anti-pedagogical and socially detrimental action that undermines children’s right to stable and quality public education.
Key Concerns Raised by SEPE:
- Threat to Pedagogical Cohesion and School Identity: The dissolution of the school and the dispersal of its students to different environments would detach children from their stable social and educational core, undermining trust with educators and the cohesion of the school community.
- Increased Student Population in Other Schools – Pedagogical Consequences: Distributing students to already operating school units would lead to overcrowded classrooms, reducing the possibility of individualized teaching and support – crucial factors for the smooth learning progress of children. Educational research emphasizes that increasing the number of students per class drastically reduces the potential for meaningful pedagogical intervention and support, especially for students with diverse learning paces or needs for supplementary assistance.
- Weakening of Local School Life and Equitable Access: The destruction of the 13th Primary School’s community means many children would be forced to travel longer distances to reach new schools, impacting daily family life and opportunities for participation in extracurricular and social activities.
- School Housing Problems Are Not Solved by Closures: The complexity of the school housing problem is well-known and long-standing, with this particular school operating in an unsuitable building for decades (45 years). The solution, according to SEPE, cannot be the dissolution of a school but rather the pursuit of modern and safe infrastructure within the community the school serves.
SEPE’s Call to Action
As the Corfu Primary Teachers’ Association, SEPE rejects the prospect of closing and dissolving the 13th Primary School and calls upon:
- The Municipality of Central Corfu & Diapontia Islands and relevant bodies: To revoke any thought of dissolving the school and transferring the children. SEPE demands immediate agreement with the building owner or the acceleration of the process to designate the building as school housing and its expropriation.
- The State: To support, with funding and a plan, the construction or renovation of a modern school building within the geographical area served by the school, ensuring pedagogical and functional educational processes.
- Parents, educators, and the local community: To unite voices in support of public and quality education for all children. SEPE is immediately taking the initiative to organize and coordinate actions in a joint meeting.
Education cannot be managed solely in terms of numbers and cost savings but must serve the holistic development of every child. SEPE demands that all necessary actions be taken immediately to ensure the school remains in its current location and its smooth operation is secured. They advocate for modern, safe buildings for their students here and now.
Source: https://www.startmediacorfu.gr/sepe-me-eksosi-kindynevei-to-13o-dimotiko-scholeio-kerkyras/
