The Ministry of Education is still looking at what to do…

Statement by AKEL MP Christos Christofides after the meeting of the Parliamentary Education Affairs Committee

21 February 2022

The situation in our schools continues to be extremely difficult with the ongoing anxieties and difficulties suffered by pupils, parents and teachers. The school year is almost over and the Ministry of Education is still looking at what to do about teacher substitutes, what to do about the DRASE programme (Note: scheme to assist pupils from vulnerable groups, deprived backgrounds and at risk of poverty) and supportive teaching which has effectively been cancelled because the teachers who worked in these programmes are being appointed as substitutes. The Education Ministry is still looking at what to do about distance and hybrid teaching. This whole scenario, if one also adds the lack of ventilation in schools and the increase in the number of pupils per classroom imposed by the Ministry of Education this year, paints a picture of the discomfort and anxiety pupils, parents and teachers face.

Today, AKEL submitted specific proposals, for which, unfortunately, we haven’t received any response whatsoever.

First, strategic planning must be elaborated to cover the learning gaps of our children.

Secondly, summer schools must be used towards this end.

Third, there must be an immediate conclusion on the issue of substitute teachers, who they will be replacing and on what terms and conditions.

These are all proposals that we believe are in the interests of our children and can provide answers to the major problems the education system is currently facing faces.