Decision of Teachers’ Union ‘Aristotle’ in Greece about police demand for data collection from schools

Decision of Teachers’ Union ‘Aristotle’

Athens, 11.2.2014

There is no end to the descent of totalitarianism! The letter of the General Police Directorate of Attica for data collection from school units must be withdrawn now!

A junta inspired order was sent to police stations in Attica by the General Police Directorate of Attica (GADA). According to the order, police stations are required to contact school headmasters and arrange meetings in order to record problems and to compose detailed reports which record the problems and needs which are of the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Order and the police.

The issue is very serious and dangerous. Political intervention is required and the order must be withdrawn now.

With this document they are pursuing unheard of goals! On the above pretexts they are aiming to turn headmasters into police officers, to establish a climate of terrorism and policing at school units and to negate the roles of teachers, asking them to report offences that haven’t yet been committed!!! Teachers are educators, not policemen! Problems in education are not resolved with the assistance of policemen and prosecutors or with invitations to headmasters to snitch on their pupils.

Teachers and headmasters seek to maintain an educational climate at their schools and to resolve problems in an environment of safety, trust and understanding not in a climate of terrorism and fear! School areas are places of protection and care for our underage pupils. Problems are resolved in this spirit not with policing and enforcement. The educational community has the ability to distinguish those rare situations where police assistance is needed and to request it.

 We demand that this document and order are withdrawn NOW. We call on the political forces to take a stand on this important issue of democracy at schools!

Union of Teachers ‘Aristotle’

FIGHTING FOR FREE AND DEMOCRATIC EDUCATION

Last Wednesday on 29.01.2014 students from five universities of Birmingham and other students had gathered to protest against the big increases in fees and against the reductions to the salaries of the teaching staff (!!!) They shouted various slogans and some students at the end of the protest, entered the building Aston Webb University in the great hall and clock tower and hung banners which are referred their demands.

While the students tried to go away from the spot, they were surrounded by the police and the security of the university. It is estimated that approximately 100 people protesters were faced with police for four hours. There were arrested 13 students- protesters and detained for more than 24 hours in police departments of Birmingham.

The National Campaign Against Cuts and Fees (NCACAF) said that the arrests were all for refusing to give their names to the police. Universities everywhere are losing the argument on staff exploitation and privatization – and the only argument we saw from them today was brute force.

According to the university decision, it is banned the access for these students on the university campus and in all academic activities. That inhibits their student status and causes with that un-democratic way terror to all people who are struggling and fighting, for not to exclude the children of working and poor families from universities.

Violence, intimidation and cops on campus against students. Prohibition of freedom of speech and expression. Students with brutal knowledge just of their subject, without political crisis who live dormant in today’s harsh reality that we face, and they are easily embeddable from the system.
 
This is not the university we want. Students, teachers, workers have common interests.

WE DEMAND TO BE TAKEN BACK THESE SUSPENSIONS AND ASK IN THE INCLUSION OF STUDENTS AFFECTED THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY.
 
WE REQUIRE:

• To be lifted now the decision to exclude students from throughout the university to continue their studies.
• An end to bullying and victimization of students.
• Direct and democratic education of all decisions taken have reason teaching staff and students.
• No more pay cuts and staff layoffs. Universities should accept the demands of the fees set by the union staff.
• Free education for all students
•  Delete the debt from student loans.

ANTARSYA UK

2nd Countrywide Assembly of ANTARSYA UK, Saturday 8th February, 14.00, London

The 2nd Countrywide Assembly of ANTARSYA UK will take place on Saturday 8th February, 14.00, UCL, Rockefeller 339, London. Press here to see the directions.

We invite all the people who want to contribute to the current struggles to participate in the assembly.

ANTARSYA UK