Dispute over English School board resolved

The legal framework governing board member selection for semi-state organisations will also apply in the case of the English School, it was announced on Wednesday.

The decision comes after a protracted back-and-forth between parents and others to determine the exact status of the government’s relation to the school.

Following letters sent to the outgoing and current presidents, board member selection procedures have now been clarified and the framework has been adopted, parent and member of the school’s governing board Akis Hadjiossif told state broadcaster CyBC.

“The school is a at critical junction and improvements are needed to its financial management as well as educational reform. Through great efforts from the parents’ association the groundwork has been prepared and it must be effectively implemented,” Hadjiossif said.

The parent rep recalled that staff and other appointments had been troubled in the past referencing problems faced by the school, including strikes and a steep increase in fees over a period of 18 months, and said the incoming presidency had promised greater transparency and meritocracy as the guiding principles in board appointments.

Parents pay a total of €9 million in tuition fees each year which makes up the total income of the school, Hadjiossif said, and a capable board should be able to do away with issues such as students at a top private school requiring extra-curricular tutoring to pass examinations.

“We are awaiting the date to be announced for declaration of interest to serve on the new board within the coming days,” Hadjiossif said.

The current English School board of directors has been in place for four years.