On the Education Minister’s statement on the targeting of a student by conservative and backward-looking circles

Statement by AKEL C.C. Spokesperson Stefanos Stefanou

The development of critical thinking in our country must be a goal of the education system

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 2 July 2020, Nicosia

The statements of the Minister of Education on the issue of the targeting of a school student because of her article in a school newspaper on the subject of religious studies, in reality legitimises the targeting and verbal attacks launched against the school student by conservative and backward-looking circles.

The fact that the Minister of Education, instead of protecting the school student, linked the expression of her opinion to an “attack on the Church” shows that he either does not understand or does not accept fundamental principles for freedom of expression, for waging a dialogue in a democratic society and the role and mission of education. The reference of the Minister himself to the Middle Ages is completely misplaced and to a worrying degree ignorant of history.

The development of critical thinking by young people in our country must be a goal of the education system. Dialogue, the fermentation of ideas and the projection of arguments even on issues that are considered “taboo” and the questioning of established mainstream perceptions is a driving force for the progress of society. We need not just to protect, but also encourage young people who are engaging in a discourse and expressing an opinion, even if we don’t agree with the content of their positions.

The government is once again forcing Cypriot society to discuss what should be self-evident.