[MGSA-L] Peiramatika Scholeia - a disappointing development

[Nikolaos Zahariadis]

I am not sure why this is an unexpected development Susannah as it appears to be very much in line with the "common phenomenon" of using public resources for private gain. Syriza is no different than its predecessors (quite a few of the current ministers and public leaders of Syriza are in fact the predecessors) in using state capture as a platform to feed clientelism so as to maintain itself in power. The crisis appears to have taught them exactly the opposite of what we had all hoped: clientelism is the only way to survive politically. And given the experience of the last few months, it seems they are very good at it. 

What is surprising and disappointing is that such shennanigans actually carry wide popular appeal (if I am to believe public opinion polls). They reveal a total lack of critical thought and civic responsibility. My prediction is brace yourself for more disappointments. Greece has not hit rock bottom yet. 

Nikos
Nikolaos Zahariadis, PhD
Professor
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From: mgsa-l-bounces at uci.edu [mgsa-l-bounces at uci.edu] on behalf of Susannah Verney [deplan at otenet.gr]
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 7:24 AM
To: mgsa-l at uci.edu
Subject: [MGSA-L] Peiramatika Scholeia - a disappointing development

Following the heated debates about the Peiramatika Scholeia, a recent
development has been both unexpected and very disappointing.

As has been discussed in postings on this list, the core idea of these
schools is that they should provide a basis for experimental teaching,
trying out new methods which can subsequently be applied to the broader
school population. To achieve this aim, they should represent a cross
section of the school population, with pupils chosen by lottery.

However, the law passed by the Greek Parliament this month included an
amendment which has essentially turned one of the best Peiramatika
Scholeia in Greece, the 1st Athens (Plaka), into the official school of
the kids from Kolonaki.

See the relevant page on the school's website
http://www.1gympeirath.gr/sxoleio/index.php/leitourgia-sxoleiou/eisagwgi-mathitwn

As it explains, according to the new law, all pupils currently attending
the Marasleio primary schools will have an automatic right of entrance
to the 1st Peiramatiko Scholeio in Plaka.

This leaves less than 20 places to be allocated by lottery to children
who don't come from this exclusive central Athens district.

A sorry example of an all too common phenomenon - the privatisation of
Greek public resources by a small 'in-group' at the expense of broader
Greek society.

Susannah Verney




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