We need to let you know about some disquieting developments
concerning the teaching of Classics in Greek Secondary Education. In recent
years the Greek government has substantially weakened the status of Ancient Greek
both at the level of the Gymnasium and of the Lyceum. FIEC has now contacted Mr
Nicholaos Filis, Greece’s Minister of Education, Research and Religion, with an
open letter addressing the issue and asking the Minister to intervene.
You may read the full letter below. In case you would like to
support the efforts to preserve the status of Classics in Greece, you may
consider signing this
international petition.
“ Pisa,
September 5th, 2016
Dear Sir,
I write on behalf of FIEC (International Federation of
Associations of Classical Studies), a body which brings together all major
associations of Classical Studies around the world.
In the past two years, our Federation has learned, with great
surprise and profound concern of a steady restriction and downgrading in the
teaching of Classics in Greek Secondary Education.
More specifically: According to a recent Ministerial
Decision, in the three classes of the Gymnasium, one hour was eliminated from
the teaching of Ancient Greek language. In the Lyceum, the restriction of
Ancient Greek and Latin is also detrimental to the linguistic and cultural
background of Greek pupils. In particular, in the first and the second class,
the teaching of Ancient Greek was reduced by three hours (one hour in the first
and two hours in the second class), while the teaching of Latin was abolished
in the second and restricted in the third class to the candidates of Humanities.
Similarly, the abolition of Pericles’ Funeral Speech in the third class of the
Lyceum deprives schoolchildren of the acquaintance with the values of this
unique text.
In the current year we hear that a more radical downgrading
in Classics is imminent, since the Head of the Committee for the Dialogue in
Education has proposed the abolition of the teaching of the original Ancient
Greek texts from the Gymnasium and its restriction in the Lyceum only to those wishing
to take Humanities in Higher Education.
All these measures will deal a heavy blow to Classical Education:
if eventually applied in Greece, the birthplace of Classical Civilization, they
will significantly weaken the younger generation’s skills in oral and written
communication, clarity of expression and critical thinking. This is all the
more unfortunate, since such measures go against the practice adopted in many
countries, where the teaching of Classics has been recognized as an important
instrument for the knowledge of our common roots in language and culture.
As an International Organization devoted to the promotion of
Classical Studies, we ask you, as
Greek Minister of Education, to intervene to prevent
downgrading the Humanities and support the teaching of classical languages and
literature, thus enabling Greek youth to take full advantage of the substantial
benefits of classical tradition in language and culture.
Looking forward to your reply, I remain
yours sincerely
Franco Montanari (FIEC President)”
