The room was as it should be. Warm, functional, equipped, modern, spotlessly clean, organized. The reason for the Amphitheater of the Conference Center of the University of Patras, where I was on Thursday night to attend the Christmas celebration organized by the Unified Special Vocational High School-Lykeio of Patras (ENEEGYL) in collaboration with three other schools of the city: the 15th High School, the 19th Gymnasium and the Music School.
Students and teachers showed us in practice what partnership, coexistence and inclusion means. The joint effort was moving, the theater presented was of a high standard, the experience we had was shocking. Messages, sensitivity and respect. The whole event, moreover, was so well organized and harmoniously presented to the audience, that it left you with a nice aftertaste.
The previous day I participated in the swearing in of the elected councilors of the Municipality of Patreon, in the Old Slaughterhouses. I will not compare the spaces, although the difference in aesthetics and care is indicative of the perception of their “owners” (University and Municipality). However, I will compare the organization, finding that the schools “put glasses” on the municipal authority. Unfortunately the ritual in the Slaughterhouses offended the local councilors of all factions, who were asked to sign the minutes in a sloppy process, amidst commotion and in front of empty seats. Event-parody, organization none.
The mayor’s speech was preceded by, once again, a divisive speech, full of dogmatism that closes the door to any form of cooperation. Collaboration, it should be noted, that all the other speakers asked for. Even in the field of cooperation, therefore, the students beat the mayor.
However, where the municipal authority fails miserably – and it is truly a shame for our local society – it is in sensitivity, in empathy, in the essential concern for the other. Despite the nice words. This is what the mayor said on Wednesday: “Especially during the festive days that we are going through, we must keep in mind those of our fellow citizens who do not have the opportunity to enjoy even the simplest things…”.
For the students of ENEEGYL, the simplest thing is to ensure proper building infrastructure to study in an environment that promotes education and facilitates their daily life. The municipal authority is responsible for ensuring decent housing. Nine years of office were not enough to improve the conditions, which is why the mayor’s words above seem hypocritical, political and false.
It is imperative to find a building for the children of the Special School! Let the Patreon Municipality aim for it in the new year. Children need to be in classrooms as they should be: Warm, functional, equipped, modern, spotlessly clean, organized. Daily! Not only for their celebration, one day a year.
