Υπ. From Education: If it were in the hands of SYRIZA, children would remain in the dark for at least six months | POLITICS

The Ministry of Education and Religions, in a statement, commented on the statements of Nikos Filis for the opinion of the Authority for the Protection of Personal Data on e-learning.

Earlier today, the SYRIZA Minister of Education spoke about three important interventions by the Personal Data Protection Authority that refer to actions of the Ministry of Education. Specifically, he pointed out that two decisions refer to education on diplomas and exemption for religious and an opinion on distance education. “The decisions are an important political issue and a critical issue for democracy, which should concern Parliament and the leadership of the government,” said Nikos Filis.

“If it were in the hands of SYRIZA, it would leave our children in the dark for six months, excluded from any educational process,” emphasizes the Ministry of Education. “But we will not do him the favor.” Because the government is trying to find a solution to every problem, while SYRIZA looks for a problem in every solution, “the announcement concludes.

Full announcement:

It is obvious that in SYRIZA – in which they had invested politically in the cancellation of the e-learning system that was implemented in record time and from scratch
in schools by teachers, in the context established and provided by the Ministry of Education and Religions – they cannot accept that The Authority considered that the modern distance education that was legislated was completely legal
(Article 63 of Law 4686/2020, in force after its reform by 10/8/2020 PNP) and allowed its application in all primary and secondary education centers. Thus they continue the disinformation campaign about the alleged violation of rights and freedoms.

In its opinion, the Authority confirmed that modern distance education is Fully compatible With the basic mission of the State to provide education and does not violate the legislation for the protection of personal data. He also judged that it is suitable
measure to maintain the teacher-student relationship and necessary
in the midst of a health crisis, as the use of softer means, such as asynchronous distance learning, may not have the same effect by its very nature.

The Authority then asked the Ministry to take into account a series of recommendations, in order to improve and complete the relevant Personal Data Impact Assessment (EAPD) study. Mr. Filis isolates these recommendations, in order to generate impressions and raise alleged questions of legality, while the Authority itself explicitly states that it exercises its “advisory power” in this case before the Ministry of Education and Religions, precisely for the purpose of complete procedures and guarantees already established. In fact, these recommendations are welcome, because there is always room for improvement and adaptation to such a dynamic and unprecedented process that was born in the midst of a pandemic, and the Ministry will respond appropriately. In addition, any proposal from any interested party, whose objective is the most effective management of the educational process in conditions of health crisis, is welcome, and for this reason the Ministry has consulted and will continue to consult all interested parties.

Likewise, Mr. Filis attributes procedural irregularities to the Ministry, culminating in the allegations of allegedly non-existent EAPD (although such issue is not raised by the Authority, which only requests its completion / amendment, in accordance with its recommendations), regarding the alleged lack of communication prior and consultation with the Authority, while the exact opposite is confirmed in the press release of 12/05/2020 from the Authority itself.

In other words, Mr. Phillies is again trying to create impressions, to tarnish modern distance education and the tireless effort of our teachers and students to keep in touch with the educational process in the midst of a pandemic. It refers to personal data, when in its day it had not even appointed a Data Protection Delegate (DPO) in the Ministry. Again he blames the assistance of a private body that provided a free electronic platform to the Ministry, while he and his government had not invested in public digital infrastructure and equipping educational structures. If it were in his power, he would leave our children in the dark for six months, excluded from any educational process. But we won’t do you a favor. Because the Government is trying to find a solution to every problem, while SYRIZA looks for a problem in every solution.