Greek MP Proposes Longer School Days Instead of Suspensions

Petros Pappas, a Greek MP from the SYRIZA party, has proposed keeping students in school for longer hours as an alternative to suspensions. He believes that removing students from the school environment is not an effective solution and that they should instead be kept engaged through longer school days. Pappas has specifically criticized the government’s plan to reinstate five-day suspensions, arguing that it could lead to increased delinquency. He also supports the government’s decision to ban mobile phones in classrooms, citing the addictive nature of internet use among teenagers and its potential for causing mental health issues. The New Democracy government has responded by stating that their approach to addressing misconduct in schools is based on a well-defined plan that aims to restore order and discipline. They have accused SYRIZA of hypocrisy and inconsistency in their stance on this issue.