Victorian Education Minister holds meeting with Pharos to discuss future of Modern Greek

·

Members of the Pharos Working Party attended a meeting on Thursday, April 20 with the Victorian Minister for Education, Natalie Hutchins MP, to discuss the Modern Greek Strategic Plan for the revitalisation of the Greek language in Victoria and Australia.

Also discussed during the meeting was the progress of the Pharos sub-committees, and the request for government assistance for a funded position to coordinate the work of Pharos over the next two years.

Mrs Anita Kolaitis, Pharos Working Party Chair and Vice-President of the Modern Greek Teachers’ Association of Victoria, explained that Pharos comprises a broad cross-section of the Greek Australian community and has the united support of all relevant stakeholders.

Mrs Kolaitis noted that Pharos has been approached by other states and other Victorian community language advocacy groups, including VietSpeak, highlighting that the Pharos project could serve as a successful model for other languages.

Mr Theo Markos, advocate for Greek language education in Victoria, updated the Minister and her advisors on the challenges facing state schools offering Greek language programs at primary and secondary levels, the ongoing support of parent networks, the need for qualified language teachers, the cost of living pressures for seconded educators from Greece, and the possible need to revisit an existing Memorandum of Understanding between the Victorian government and the Greek government on matters of education.

Members of the Pharos Working Group and journalists.

Dr Stephie Nikoloudis, Greek Studies coordinator at La Trobe University, emphasised that the detailed Strategic Plan, aimed at ensuring the teaching of Greek and its continued use in Australia beyond the classroom, was developed and is now being implemented under the guidance of Professor Emeritus Joe Lo Bianco, an expert in the field of language education and language revitalisation.

Dr Nikoloudis pointed out that the community-wide campaign that helped to secure the continuation of La Trobe’s Greek Studies program had the widespread support of individuals of both Greek and non-Greek background who value and support a multicultural and multilingual Australia.

The crucial interrelations between all levels of language education (from pre-school to tertiary) were discussed, including the recent success of one of Pharos’ sub-committees in securing state government financial support for Multicultural Story Time at local libraries.

The Minister showed great interest in the work being carried out by Pharos and committed to continuing the discussion with Pharos regarding its Strategic Plan and the revitalisation of Greek.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Archbishop Makarios leads celebrations in Crete honouring the Four Holy New Martyrs

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia presided over a two-day celebration in Rethymno, Crete, honouring the Holy Four New Martyrs.

Stephen Pallaras KC to contest election after mystery accident

Former state prosecutor Stephen Pallaras KC says he will still contest next year’s SA election despite suffering serious injuries.

Michael Theoharis among 55 charged in SA-wide AN0M sting

Fifty-five people have been charged following coordinated dawn raids across South Australia as part of a major AN0M sting.

Hurricane Melissa leaves dozens dead across the Caribbean

Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest storms on record, has left dozens dead and widespread devastation across Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba.

Prosecutors allegedly link Perry Kouroumblis to Easey St murders with DNA evidence

Prosecutors in Melbourne’s Easey Street murder case allege that DNA found is “highly likely” to have come from Perry Kouroumblis.

You May Also Like

Australian wanted by Interpol arrested in Mykonos

The Australian man is an alleged member of an international drug ring and is facing charges in the United States.

Vasili’s Taxidi: The Corinthian Rotisserie – Marrickville’s Iconic Shops

By Vasilis Vasilas. We have now reached the major intersection of Marrickville- of Marrickville and Illawarra Roads- and let us take a left turn for...

Greece’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister: We want to strengthen economic relations with Australia

Greece's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kostas Fragkogiannis, has sent a message of optimism to the Greek community in Australia.