The Minister of Education, Daniel David, reacted, on Friday, to the accusations of the pre-university education unions, who accused him of “authoritarianism”.
“I noticed with surprise the reaction of the representative unions in pre-university education to some statements I made regarding the modernization of education, considering them examples of “authoritarianism””the minister said in a press release.
He insists that he sees unions as an essential part of the democratic process in the education system. “As a staunch democrat, I believe that in a democracy the role of trade unions and their right to various forms of protest is fundamental. I have always said this, publicly, and I have been attentive to such movements and demands within them (as permitted by law).”
He reminds that the modernization of education requires the involvement of all actors and rejects the interpretation of his call for reflection as an authoritarian tendency.
“Education takes place in a complex ecosystem, in which the trade union (as a form of organization) plays an important role”, states David, emphasizing that “my call to self-reflection, for all actors in the ecosystem, in the context of the need to modernize education, is also democratic”claims Daniel David.
He adds that differing positions are natural in a democracy, but must be accompanied by two-way communication. “We collaborate, as independent organizations, but we also have different points of view, the comments and proposals in this process should work two-way, as we know it falls and is practiced in a democracy.”
“I assure them of my respect for the organizations they represent, and the ministry is fully open to proposals from unions to contribute to the smooth functioning and modernization of education”concludes the Minister of Education.
