The high school teachers union has stressed 'the need to tone down the rhetoric a notch, also calling on the Education Ministry to do the same', OELMEK vice-president Andreas Mavratsas, who strongly critisised Dimitris Taliadoros on his Education Minister comments, told state radio this morning, as his colleagues were gathering outside parliament to protest the proposed evaluation system.
But the unions position remains one and the same, when it comes to the substance. The government proposal cannot be accepted under any circumstances.
'We're experiening the lack of meritocracy and favouritism in the current system but the new plan will be worse and cost the taxpayer six million euro to create 60 unnecessary school inspectors', Mavratsas added.
The fundamental divergence between ministry and teachers is the role of headmasters in this new evaluation system, with OELMEK warning that the model suggested means that there will be no available headfmasters in the space of two years, as they will all become inspectors.
'We are parents ourselves and fully realise the repercussions of strike action', primary school teachers union POED President Myria Vasiliou said, also speaking on state radio.
Vasiliou noted that teachers were looking to secure the best possible outcome for public schools and called on parents to stand by their side.
Commenting on reports that POED was close to a deal with the ministry on the proposed evaluation bill, she noted that 'the union never accepted the plan, but there are elements with which it agrees and the education minister should have exchausted all avenues in seeking a deal'.
She further blamed the ministry for 'toxicity'.
As the parents see it, notwithstanding their respect for the unions right to strike, POED was, on the one hand referring to convergence on the bill, but then following exactly the opposite route by announcing strike action.
Head of the High School Parents Confederation Association Yiannos Ioannou, wondered whether teachers realised all the trouble that they're putting parents and pupils through, noting that they will be soon deciding on next steps.
'All these developments have stiffened our determination and we now demand that parliament votes the bill through', he added.
Organised parents expressed the view that all round good will can help bridge difference and reach compromises on a new teachers evaluation system.
Most children did not attend school today, but no absence has been recorded.