I believed and still believe that education is key to the smooth functioning of democracy and to economic and social development.

In all countries, societies have progressed when their educational system corresponded to the challenges of the times. Keeping this in mind, I feel restless because the Greek education does not meet this criterion.

For decades, we have been struggling to establish an educational system that effectively cares for our children, and we have not succeeded to this day. I feel saddened when I reflect that, due to inadequate education, our children will face conditions in the future that are more adverse than those we faced.

I am saddened because we are unable to provide them with the education they need to stand on their own in a new competitive environment. But why is this happening? Is it because we have not defined what kind of education we want, or do we know where we want to go, but are unable to implement the necessary educational changes?

Who is responsible for this? Is it due to a political deficit? Is this inability due to the timidity that characterizes the political system to carry out reforms or to defend them when some dare to implement them?

Gerassimos Arsenis (Adapted excerpt from his speech at the 1st Conference of OPEP)