"If you’re fat or don't have a nice body, you’re not allowed to be in the parade"

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http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main...35399&cat_id=1

SECONDARY school teachers have accused the Education Ministry of placing
undue importance on school children’s physique as part of this year’s
October 28 parade selection process.

“Physical education teachers were advised to pay particular attention to
pupils’ appearance and to choose well-exercised bodies, with special
importance regarding the boys,” a teacher who wished to remain unnamed
said.

The teacher said although the excuse PE teachers used to reject students
was unrelated to their looks, several children had picked up on the fact
that they were not considered “attractive” or “thin” enough to represent
their school.

“A number of students started crying and a few girls made the comment
that only the pretty girls had been chosen,” the teacher said. “This
happens every year, but this year it’s much worse.”

She said: “The message the Education Ministry is putting across is that
if you’re fat or don’t have a nice body, you’re not allowed to be in the
parade.”

But PE inspector Andreas Papadopoulos said the accusation was totally
unfounded and that the ministry had not even so much as hinted that
participants had to fulfil specific physical criteria.

“Not once did we say that students have to be good looking, tall, or
that students mustn’t be too thin or fat. The only criterion is that the
students are able to walk properly,” he told the Cyprus Mail.

Despite the ministry’s denial, a memo was sent out to all schools on
Wednesday on the issue of the parade. One part of the letter said: “The
selection process must be strict and the main criterion must be the
faultless appearance in every respect.”

According to the teacher, a military general had made a comment to the
Education Minister regarding the pupils’ appearance in last year’s
parade. The comment prompted Akis Kleanthous to ensure this year’s
performance was flawless, she said.

“Last year the minister was said to be embarrassed by the general’s
comment and now everyone is jumping to attention to ensure it runs
smoothly. What do they expect? That our students walk like military men?
Is this a military parade?”

Papadopoulos admitted that last year’s parade had been disastrous but
said that this year’s improvements had nothing to do with the general’s
comments.

“Last year it was a complete shambles with students stepping out of
line, walking over to shake people’s hands who stood in the crowd, girls
wore skirts that were far too short and kept trying to pull them down so
that their underpants wouldn’t show, and some students shouted across to
one another,” he said.

The PE inspector said this year the ministry’s only criteria were that
the pupils could walk properly and that they were clean-shaven.

“Although there is no rule about hair, we’ve asked that they keep it
tidy and brush it back,” he said.

“We’ve also stressed the importance of students who will not cause
problems and that are reliable and will show up on the day so that they
don’t cause problems to the other pupils’ in their line. Other than that
there is no criterion and every student is allowed to try out for the
parade,” he said.

But the teacher questioned what the educational purpose of the school
parade was anyway.

She said: “We are told to remember that each child is an individual but
what sort of message is this selection process passing on to children.
Other years it was problem, but this year it’s much worse and a lot of
children are being turned down. Where is the respect for children’s
differences? Do you know how many children are anorexic in schools and
how does this impact students’ body image?”

Papadopoulos said the parade’s sole aim was to celebrate October 28,
Greek National Day.

“Our purpose is to celebrate the day but to do so well and with dignity.
If anyone thinks that means we want to focus on pupils’ physical
appearance then there was obviously a miscommunication,” he said.

Commenting on the story, Secondary School Parents’ Association president
Nicos Vitsaides said it was abominable if the teachers’ allegations bore
any truth.

“The regulations do not allow for the selection of school children [in
the parade] based on their good looks or their good bodies.

“Such an inclination is rather prejudiced as is saying well exercised
[pupils] should be chosen. We want to believe that the Education
Ministry gave no such instruction, either officially or unofficially.
And if it has done, it’s condemnable,” Vitsaides said.

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"girls wore skirts that were far too short and kept trying to pull
them down so
that their underpants wouldn't show,"

I would not complain about that!