The Borizia Primary School and Nursery School reopened today – with a physical presence – a week after the recent dramatic events in the village of Phaistos Municipality.

On the occasion of the reopening of the school units, an online link (Webex) was held with the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Sophia Zacharaki, who, addressing the teachers and parents, expressed her personal support and that of the Government to the school community and the children’s families.

Sophia Zacharaki said. With the assistance of a specialized interdisciplinary team of psychologists and Social Workers, we are implementing scientifically based practices aimed at restoring a sense of security, enhancing mental resilience, and supporting students, teachers, and their families, within the framework of a holistic approach to mental health and well-being at school.”

The 14-strong team of child psychologists and Social Workers will remain in Borizia and Zaros until the end of the week. From next Monday, November 17, a multidisciplinary team of KEDASY. Heraklion, will visit the schools twice a week, in order to provide the necessary psychosocial support to both children and their families, for their smooth return to school.

It is worth noting that today, 20 of the 40 students of the primary schools returned to school, while 3 of the 12 children in kindergarten went to school.

At the same time, the Regional Director of Education of Crete, Manolis Kartsonakis, visited the school units, accompanied by a team of executives formed on the initiative of the Minister, Sofia Zacharaki, in order to provide psychological and pedagogical support to students and teachers.

During the visit, Mr. Kartsonakis spoke with the teaching staff and students, stressing the importance of cooperation, psychological empowerment, and the gradual restoration of the climate of trust and security in the school environment.

The group of executives included the Consultant of Psychologists’ Training, Maria Hourdaki, the Head of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Assessment and Counselling Support (KEDASY) of Heraklion, Konstantina Economopoulou, the Professor of Psychiatry of the University of Crete, Alexandros Vgontzas, the President of the Department of Social Work of EL.ME.PA., Maria Papadakaki, and representatives of the Interdisciplinary Support Committee (ISC).

The team will remain in the schools for continuous support of students and teachers, while there will be regular updates on the progress of the activities.