The problems especially in Education need to be solved
Statement by AKEL Press Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 5th May 2020, Nicosia
It is understandable that problems will appear in the course of the easing of restrictive measures. However, yesterday there were situations that could have been avoided had there been better coordination and planning.
Yesterday chaos prevailed in the Social Insurance Offices of two districts – Larnaca and Paphos – due to understaffing and a lack of protection provided for officials and citizens. This caused queues and a lot of anxiety for citizens.
Difficulties arose in the operation of construction sites, but also in the way workers were transported to workplaces. The Ministry of Labour must provide solutions by protecting the safety, health and rights of workers.
Where of course an unacceptable situation does exist is in the field of Education. The Ministry of Education, from the beginning of the application of restrictive measures, has shown a very serious inability to manage the situation, address the problems and coordinate the programme of distance education. Fortunately, many teachers covered many of the weaknesses by operating a remarkable system through their own efforts.
What is important is for the Ministry of Education to provide clear guidelines for the plan in the period of the partial lifting of measures, but also for the planning of the new school year.
School pupils, teachers and parents are waiting to hear – and they need to know – what is going to happen. The Ministry of Education must provide answers and solutions.
