Three teachers were commended by the Ministry of Education, as a moral reward for exceptional acts in the performance of their duties, in a moving ceremony held earlier today at the building where the Ministry of Education is housed.

“In their faces we reward the knowledge, readiness and genuine interest of teachers for our children,” Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, said during the ceremony, adding: “We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for the great example they set for all of us.”

Georgios Papadantonakis, principal of the 41st Athens High School, was called to give first aid to a student who had been attacked with a hammer by an extracurricular who had invaded the school premises. When he noticed the assailant, he ran to prevent him and was himself stabbed in the abdomen.

It will be recalled that in an interview with Proto Thema, Papadantonakis said: “What happened was an unfortunate event. Indeed, it could have turned out much worse for me, but it didn’t. They call me a hero. I am not. They ask me if I am afraid. No, I’m not. I feel that my students and my colleagues love me,” he said

“I don’t feel like a hero. I feel touched and flooded with love from my colleagues and my children, my students,” Papadantonakis said, surrounded by dozens of high school students who attended to honor him with their presence.

The incident, which happened about a month ago, had shocked the local community of Kypseli, as well as public opinion. Mr Papadantonakis has not yet returned to his duties, as he still has one more surgery pending.

Further north, at the all-day Experimental Primary School of Serres, the teacher in charge, Antonia Vagena, was called to give first aid to a young student who was drowning and could not get up from his seat.

“I felt nothing but relief that the student was saved. Fortunately, I knew first aid and I did Heimlich’s grip,” he said, adding that after the incident, close bonds of trust, love and safety were established between students and teachers.

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On the island of Kos, when a 3rd grade high school student collapsed, her classmates called their teacher, Ioannis-Herrikos Troumoulis, to help, knowing that he was a volunteer rescuer. The school has two external defibrillators, she used one and performed CPR until qualified help arrived.

“We save lives, but from very intense emotions, we do many nights until we sleep,” Trumoulis noted. “The joy is great now that the child is back in school and we see that he can cope with all activities and is part of our society,” he added.

All three teachers stressed the importance and the need for teachers to be trained in first aid so that the children – and their parents – feel extra safe in the school environment.