President Iohannis: Private sector, so slandered by some politicians tributary to communist,authoritarian reflexes, deserves appreciation

President Klaus Iohannis stated on Wednesday that the private sector, slandered by some politicians "tributary to communist, authoritarian reflexes," deserves to be appreciated because it fills the need of the community which the current government ignores. "Today's Gala shows that the society offers recognition to the teachers with special merits, even if, unfortunately, too many times the state is not able to do it. The private sector, more recently slandered by some politicians who are tributary to the communist, authoritarian reflexes, deserves to be appreciated for the commitment to be more present in front of the community and replace the need which the current governing simply ignores," the head of state said at the 4th edition of the Merito Gala. He pointed out that it's important for the state not to impede the business milieu when it wants to get involved in Education. "The social responsibility of the Romanian companies is not an isolated phenomenon for a long time and the efforts that it put in for supporting the communities should be commended and welcomed. The fact that we have here today many businessmen involved in educational projects shows us that there is openness from the private sector for the cooperation with the public educational system of our country, a collaboration that can only be auspicious, especially when it contributes to encouraging examples of good practice of teachers who promote quality education, pro-active management in schools or the use of modern equipment," President Iohannis stated. The head of state mentioned that in 2019 Romania is confronted with "sever" challenges. "We are confronted with severe challenges which are risking to affect the very democratic foundation of Romania. Many of these challenges which get to question event the European journey of our country resulted also from the neglect of Romanian Education for decades. 30 years after the Revolution and after a century of national unity, the Romanians want a functional rule of law and a developed economy. Actually, both are built on civic activism, critical thinking and a spirit of entrepreneurship based on both access to information and the correct interpretation of it," he said. The President also referred to the "Educated Romania" project, indicating some of its conclusions. "The ones who have performances should be rewarded and those who reflect poorly this profession should leave the education system," Iohannis highlighted. He invited the participants to sent their ideas regarding the "Educated Romania" Project. "I invite you to write and share your experience, but also the ideas you have about how Romania's education system should look like at the horizon of 2030," Iohannis conveyed. The head of state also had a separate meeting with Merito teachers. "I believe that the most important thing which this meeting has left us with is that it can be done. Therefore, let's do it!," he stated. Prior to delivering his speech, the head of state joked with the participants. "You cannot like the professor's chair if you didn't like to sit at the desk. You seem to be very good future and current teachers based on how you sit at the desk." Within the Merito Gala a number of 12 teachers of the pre-university education were awarded, namely: Mircea Nistor - "Traian Lalescu" National College of Informatics from Hunedoara; Ioana-Steluta Manea - "Emil Racovita" Theoretical High School in Techirghiol; Elisabeta Daniela Pacuraru - Eselnita Secondary School from Mehedinti; Bogdan Ratiu - "Bolyai Farkas" Theoretical High School in Targu Mures; Tatiana Cauni - "Emil Racovita" Theoretical High School in Baia Mare; Dan Voiculescu - "Costache Negri" National College from Galati; Andrada Mazilu - "Nikolaus Lenau" Theoretical High School in Timisoara; Coziana Andreea Zaharia - "Ionel Teodoreanu" Secondary School in Bucharest; Alina Hoara - Art High School in Sibiu. The event was carried out under the High Patronage of Romania's President. AGERPRES (RO - author: Florentina Peia, editor: Claudia Stanescu; EN - author: Rodica State, editor: Cristina Zaharia)