Parents will be able to justify a small number of their children's absences and therefore, those who are absent will have to provide a doctor's certificate. In the High School, a numerical score is introduced on a scale of 5-100.
These are some of the changes that the committee for the amendment of the operating regulations of the Secondary Education schools is studying, according to a document prepared by the president of the Association of Principals (SEDMEK) and member of the committee, George Iosisfidis.
He codified and sent to all the schools the most important points that have already been discussed in the committee, claiming that there was unanimity in the following proposed changes:
Abolition of the categorization of absences into justified and unjustified.
There will be no impact on the attendance of students up to the limit of 120 absences. Students who score 121 to 134 absences will remain unchecked, while those who score more than 134 will remain stationary.
A student with absences beyond 275 (regardless of medical or psychological problems) will remain stagnant.
Absences that are not justified or that cannot be justified by the parents, e.g. Intermediate absences of teaching periods will be considered a disciplinary offense and the corresponding penalties will be imposed.
Parents will be able to justify their children's absences of up to five working days for the period September-April in High School and for the period September-May in High School. However, for high school students they can justify only up to two working days in May and respectively for high school students up to two working days in June.
Students who are referred for examinations due to lack of attendance, must have a grade of at least six in each examined course in order to have a chance of success.
The numerical score is also introduced in the Gymnasium, on the scale 5-100 and not from 1-20.
The internal regulations of the schools will be drawn up by an eight-member committee which will include two representatives of the directorate, two representatives of the teachers 'association, two representatives of the students and two representatives of the Parents' Association.
The internal regulations will be studied and ratified in a special meeting by the teachers' association, which can be attended by the representatives of the students and the parents but without the right to vote.
The committee initially accepts the suggestion to introduce exams at the end of each four months, but will expect more clarification.
A student's delay in a lesson beyond ten minutes will be recorded as an absence.
Systematic delays will constitute a disciplinary offense and will be punished.
Supporting documents of psychologists will be accepted before the special meeting of the teaching association for the characterization of the study and if the student was systematically monitored.
The decisions of the teachers' associations in matters of attendance and promotion of students will be final (if the procedures do not suffer and there is adequate documentation).
It is noted that Mr. Iosifidis sent the three-page document to the addresses of all schools, asking for the comments and suggestions of his colleagues.
The minister to determine the uniform
In his letter to the school principals, Mr. Iosisfidis states the following about the student uniform: The issue of uniform and proper appearance is not the responsibility of the school unit. These are determined based on a special circular of the minister that will be sent to schools from May and will be notified to parents and students during enrollment.
No final decision has been made yet on the issue of the uniform, because the students' representatives were absent from the last meeting (the PSEM elections were in progress). However, as noted by the president of SEDMEK, the general view is that if we want to have a uniform, it must be clearly defined, otherwise it will be abolished.
He adds that the position of the parents is expected to be clarified, while at the same time he emphasizes that with the return of the students' representatives, the controversial provision for the events that PSEM can invite the students will be finalized, without being charged with absences.
Replacements and strikes of teachers
According to the president of the principals, the regulations regarding the duties and responsibilities of the teachers have not been studied yet. He clarifies, however, that "I will ask for an increase in the number of substitutions for teachers in case no other possible solution is found with the absences of teachers".
It will also demand "the release of principals from responsibility for the safety of students when teachers go on strike or other measures."
"Headache" for OELMEK
The discomfort of OELMEK was caused by the letter of the president of the directors and especially the reports about the substitutions and the strikes.
It is no coincidence that the organization sent a circular to its members, clarifying the following: "OELMEK is represented in the committee that is working on proposals for amending the rules of operation of the schools by the president and the general secretary. The president of the Association of Directors participates in the said committee as a member of OELMEK ".
He points out that "this committee has no authority to take final decisions to amend the regulations. The terms of her mandate are limited to the submission of thoughts and suggestions to the Minister of Education, who is the materially responsible for making political decisions ".
Therefore, he continues, OELMEK will be placed on the official proposal of the Ministry when it is delivered, after a discussion in its collective bodies.
Based on the above, he claims that "we do not understand the expediency of the committee of the president of the Association of Principals to the school administrations, which caused confusion and unnecessary upset to the colleagues".
Source: Liberal