Statement for the School Uniform
The setback in educational issues in our country is endless. It seems that the governing party rather than deal with the serious problems facing our people, the shortcomings and the weaknesses that are presented in schools and universities, is troubled by secondary issues. It is only in this context that the sudden reference of the Minister of Education to restore the School uniform can be explained.
At a time when the Ministry of Education is called upon to manage so many open fronts, such as the hiring list of teachers, the educational reform, the new type of high school, reduce the costs of education for students, student grants, the student welfare package, the expansion of public higher education, supporting the thousands of poor students, upgrading and strengthening the Technical Schools and more, deals with the anachronistic restoration of the School uniform. The real reason why the Anastasiades-DISY government is reopening such an issue is the disorientation of public opinion from the serious, real problems we are facing today as a new generation.
The arguments concerning discipline, uniformity and educating students through the School uniform have been negated by life itself, since it was proved with many examples in Cyprus and abroad that, discipline and respect are cultivated into pupils through the all-rounded and comprehensive education and not are not imposed by force. You must win the respect, Minister, not impose it.
With regards to the class division of society, the separating of a few rich from the many poor and what consequences this has on the mental outlook of students in the absence of a School uniform, students have a first hand experience of this from their daily lives because of the system itself and the policies of austerity the governing party defends and enforces. Therefore, differences in the brand, quality and price of the clothes worn by students at school, do not determine in any case their perception of life and society. It is determined by the very harsh realities of class inequalities of capitalism.
As EDON, we emphasize that we will not tolerate another minute the ridicule of the new generation and our families. We fully support the fight of the organized student movement to reduce their educational costs, their struggle for a human, democratic and truly free public school.
Press Office of the CC of EDON
16/02/2015