Paralympic Games educational kit

The ATHENS 2004 Education and Training Department and the Ministry of Education have produced an educational kit entitled ‘The Paralympic Games from 1960 to 2004’ as part of the Olympic Education programme that is already operating in 7,400 schools in Greece, 1,000 schools in Cyprus and 2,000 Greek schools in other parts of the world.

The programme, put together with the help of Greek and foreign experts and members of the International Paralympic Committee, aims:

	to raise pupils’ awareness of Olympism and the Paralympic movement;
	to provide information about the preparations and holding of the Paralympic Games;
	to develop a new, positive attitude towards people with a disability;
	to inspire pupils with the passion and determination of the athletes who take part in the Paralympic Games;
	to raise awareness of the right to independence and equal participation.

The kit consists of flexible educational material designed for both primary and secondary schools, which can be adapted to the particular circumstances of its use (age, the needs and interests of the pupils, available equipment etc.).

Particular emphasis is placed on teaching through entertainment and discovery, which allow pupils to exercise their critical faculties and their imagination. In this way they can grasp meanings, role-play, adopt specific modes of action and embrace the values of both the International Paralympic Movement and the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Organising Committee.

The role of the teacher is particularly important in the implementation of the programme.There are six parts to the printed material.

	The first is for the teacher. Divided into nine sections, it provides complete information about the history of the Paralympic Movement and issues related to it.
	The second part provides information for pupils.
	Τhe third, entitled ‘Theory into Practice’, includes a series of activities (movement, theory, art), that can be carried out in or out of school, and which aim to raise awareness and inform pupils about the Paralympic Games.
	Section Four, entitled ‘Greek Athletes’, presents Paralympic athletes from Greece, briefly describing them, their achievements and their aims.
	The fifth section contains a detailed bibliography to help teachers find out more about sport for people with a disability.
	Finally, the sixth section is a game of knowledge, ‘From 1960 to 2004’, in which pupils will enjoy learning more about the history of the Paralympic Movement.

The kit also includes a Paralympic Games video, which presents some of the stars of the Games, the 18 Paralympic sports and their rules, and has three Greek athletes talking about their efforts and achievements, and the importance of taking part in this great sporting occasion.

The material was presented to the Minister for Education by the President of ATHENS 2004 at a ceremony on 16th September 2002 at the ATHENS 2004 headquarters. Finally, another initiative of the Education and Training Department is that for the first time information and educational material on the Olympic and Paralympic Games is being prepared for people with sensory disabilities.