The NARP and the Youth Communist Liberation denounce the call in a written apology from the Director of Primary Education 4th Athens, Ria Palaistidou, a teacher in the 3rd D.S Tavros, a member of the “Parthenon” Teachers’ Association and a member of the NARP for Communist Liberation. The teacher is called to apologize for the anti-war project she had made with her students for the International Day of Peace on September 21, in which there was the slogan “Freedom in Palestine”.
The Director of Primary Education IV of Athens, by order of the Ministry of Education, initiates prosecution against the teacher, because she exercised the self-evident pedagogical right and duty to speak to the children against the war and for the right of all the children of the world to peace, life, education.
The direct reflexes of the government of the ND and the administrative apparatus for the disappearance of the anti-war work of the students from the school and the call for an apology from the teacher for “violation of official duty” bring to the fore the government’s pursuit of authoritarianism and repression to impose ” graveyard silence” to the struggling education movement and its full support for the murderous state of Israel. The genocidal Zionist state and its embassies around the world have set up mechanisms to monitor and control every act of solidarity with the Palestinian people in cooperation with the governments of each country. They use the argument of “anti-Semitism” in a despicable way, at the same time that Israel’s most faithful ideological and political ally today are the far-right, fascist parties, many of which have historical Nazi origins!
The Greek government is well aware that combative education and the role it has played over the years in the development of peaceful, anti-war consciousness and action can trigger wider resistance and conflict among the youth against the policies of the government and the rest of the bourgeois parties, which in a period sharpening the rivalries of capital, and the imperialist military confrontations, openly and by all means support the slaughter and the genocide of the Palestinian people by the murderous state of Israel. It serves the interests of capital and involves the people and the youth more and more deeply in the US/NATO/EU war plans by turning the country from end to end into a vast US-NATO base, sending military forces to all war zones, depriving resources from the public social goods and the needs of youth and workers in favor of excessive armaments.
The government is not satisfied simply with authoritarianism and terrorism against the struggling education, but also wants statements of repentance from the teachers, for this and among other things it accuses the teacher of not showing remorse for her act. Educators with bowed heads and with a repudiation of their ideas and action are the pursuit of the government to impose the reactionary policy of war, poverty, unfreedom. The government that begs the big businessmen to reduce some of the prices in the supermarkets and the energy that the world groans from precision every day, is prosecuting teachers for their anti-war attitude.
They are ridiculous if they think they will terrorize education. In all the ”stone years” of reactionary restructurings that tried to crush the educational movement, they did not succeed. The cessation of all persecution against the teacher, but also the entire pogrom of persecution and disciplinary measures unleashed by the government against teachers and the struggles to defend the public school, the educational rights of students and the working rights and pedagogical freedom of teachers is case of the entire labor and youth movement.
It will not silence every voice that claims a life with dignity against the politics of government and system. Our matches will give the answer.
Stop all persecution of the teacher Ria Palaistidou now.
Hands off the anti-war movement.
No involvement – no complicity in US/NATO and EU plans and capital’s wars.
Cut off all economic, educational, military and political ties with the murderous state of Israel.
NAR for Communist Liberation
Title: In Defense of Education: A Conversation with Dr. Eleni Tsakiri on the State of Pedagogy and Political Expression
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome, Dr. Tsakiri, and thank you for joining us today. We’re here to discuss a rather heated situation in Athens regarding a teacher’s anti-war project that included the slogan “Freedom in Palestine.” The response from the government has raised significant concern. What are your initial thoughts on this incident?
Dr. Eleni Tsakiri (Education Policy Expert): Thank you for having me. This event illustrates a troubling trend where educators are being penalized for exercising their rights to express critical viewpoints, particularly around issues of war and peace. The project led by Ria Palaistidou was a pedagogical response to an urgent global concern, and the backlash reflects an effort to stifle such discussions in schools. It’s an indictment of how far we’ve allowed political interference to reach into education.
Interviewer: The article mentions that the Director of Primary Education initiated prosecution against the teacher. How does this impact the broader educational environment?
Dr. Tsakiri: It cultivates an atmosphere of fear and repression. When teachers are threatened with disciplinary action for promoting peace and raising awareness about global issues, it sends a discouraging signal to educators and students alike. Critical thinking and discussion—essential components of education—are being overshadowed by a narrative that prioritizes silence over debate. This is detrimental to fostering a well-rounded, informed student body.
Interviewer: Right. The article suggests there’s a broader governmental trend towards authoritarianism. How do you see this affecting student activism and awareness in general?
Dr. Tsakiri: Indeed, when the government influences educational content towards a preferred narrative, it erodes the very foundation of a democratic education system. Students today are more engaged than ever, often using social media to express their opinions. However, if they perceive that they could face consequences for their beliefs—especially regarding issues like the Palestinian plight—activism may wane out of fear. This is counterproductive, particularly in teaching students about their rights and civic responsibilities.
Interviewer: The government’s actions seem to align with a broader geopolitical context as well. How do you perceive the relationship between local education policies and global conflicts?
Dr. Tsakiri: Education is inherently political, and the policies enacted at a governmental level often serve broader geopolitical interests. In this case, silencing pro-Palestinian voices can be seen as a way of aligning with the interests of more powerful nations. The implementation of military strategies and funding at the expense of social goods is indicative of a state that prioritizes external alignments over internal democratic values. This geopolitical overlay complicates the situation for educators who may wish to introduce their students to critical global issues.
Interviewer: Turning our focus to the response of educator organizations like NARP and the Youth Communist Liberation—what role do you think such groups play in this scenario?
Dr. Tsakiri: These organizations are vital for advocating for the rights of educators and fostering a resistance against governmental overreach. By supporting teachers like Palaistidou, they create spaces where educators can express dissent and push back against oppressive measures. Their involvement also encourages a collective consciousness among educators and students, forging alliances that are necessary to resist authoritarianism.
Interviewer: Based on everything we’ve discussed, what steps should educators, policymakers, and activists take in advocating for a more open and supportive educational environment?
Dr. Tsakiri: First and foremost, fostering dialogue is essential. Educators should feel empowered to speak about controversial subjects without fear of reprisal. Policymakers need to be held accountable by the community to ensure that education remains a realm of inquiry and discussion, not repression. a united front among educators, students, and advocacy groups can amplify their voices and challenge unjust policies effectively. Building awareness and solidarity will be crucial in pushing back against the tide of authoritarianism in education.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Tsakiri. Your insights are invaluable, and it’s clear that the intersection of education, politics, and global issues is a complex yet crucial frontier that deserves our attention.
Dr. Tsakiri: Thank you for addressing this significant topic. It’s through conversations like these that we can hope to invigorate our educational landscape and advocate for the fundamental right to learn, speak, and act against injustice.