Primary schools ready for new school year

Preparations to open primary schools for thousands of students on September 12 are almost complete, the Education Ministry’s director of primary education, Dr Marios Stylianides said on Thursday.

According to Stylianides, it is important to meet hygiene measures in all schools ahead of the start of the school year, while it also important to focus on the development of new strategies focused on improving students’ scholastic results.

Regarding the health measures to be taken at schools, he said they are waiting for the decisions of the health ministry.

“Before the start of classes, the guidelines of the health ministry regarding the Covid-19 are expected. The health protocols and instructions for the preventive measures that must be implemented will be sent to the schools in the coming days,” he added.

Stylianides said that all school units have followed the instructions given to them and made every possible effort for coordinated management, showing special care and concern for the pedagogical and emotional support of the students.

“I am sure that everyone will show the same zeal during the 2022-2023 school year, so that we can collectively face the potential challenges,” he added.

This year 50,038 pupils are expected to attend public primary schools, while another 12,803 children will go to public nurseries, and 537 will attend special schools.

Stylianides added that a total of 4,583 teachers will be employed in the public primary schools, 871 at the nurseries, and 1,069 at the special education facilities.

A literacy strengthening programme that ran at 38 schools for children at risk of falling behind in their studies is continuing this school year, and is being expanded across 50 schools in Cyprus, Stylianides said.

He added that this year, preliminary actions will be started to implement the first phase of expanding free compulsory nursery education as part of the national recovery and resilience plan.

Commenting on bullying and how schools will deal with the issue, Stylianides said that they are ready to undertake specific actions to develop of culture of non-violence at schools.

“The investigation, recording and effective management of such incidents in school units with the support of internal agencies of the education ministry,” he said.

At the same time, Stylianides said, the ministry is seeking to empower children and teachers by offering training seminars.

“Especially, in primary education, it is worth noting that the pilot programme of school counsellors in primary schools will continue in the coming school year, with a further increase in the total time available. This programme, through its preliminary evaluation results, appears to have contributed to the prevention and treatment of violence and delinquency, as well as to the improvement of children’s well-being,” he added.