AKEL ON THE ISSUE CREATED IN THE ENGLISH SCHOOL

 

 

Written statement Christos Christofides, Head of the

Education Office of the C.C. of AKEL

 

The recent position expressed by the Ombudsman and Human Rights Authority against Discrimination in relation to the issue that has been created after the decision by the Board of the English School not include the first day of the feast of Bayram in the school holidays raises a serious issue. The Ombudsman’s view that the decision should be re-examined “in a way that the religious pluralism of the school will not be questioned and equal conditions of education are ensured for all groups of students, regardless of their religion or ethnic origin.” demonstrates the seriousness of the matter. The issue is particularly serious because it affects basic human rights of Cypriot citizens and indeed of children.

 

The issue is being exploited correspondingly by nationalist circles in the occupied areas, while the issue has been raised at the last meeting of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties at LedraPalace. There is a tendency for the issue to be transformed into a political issue with negative consequences.

 

These are the handlings on this issue made by the new Board appointed by the President of the Republic. The Anastasiades government, in contrast to what happened in the past, chose to appoint a Council with a one-sided party affiliated composition and exclusions. The decisions that have been taken stem for the result of this policy. The responsibility therefore for these actions and their political repercussions lies with the President and his government.

 

We call on the Board of the EnglishSchool on the basis of the Ombudsman’s letter to reconsider its damaging decision. We urge the ruling government to assume their responsibilities.