The Educational System of Cyprus – Teaching and Teachers in Cyprus

Education in Cyprus The Historical Perspective . The Independence Era Main features of our Educational System Teachers and teaching in Cyprus The ongoing educational reform .

Education in Cyprus The Historical Perspective 1959; First Educational Board – Establishment of the 8year school (pilot plan) The Post - Independence Era (1960 - today) 1960 – 1965 Education was up to the two Communities and not the Government’s responsibilty (Greek and Turkish Communal Chamber respectively) 1962; Education for Primary Education was free and compulsory 1965; Following the political discourse the Ministry of Education was established for the first time. 1972; Free and compulsory education for Secondary Education (Gymnasium) 1977; Emphasis on Kindergarten Education.

Our educational system; main features Pre – primary education; (from age 4,8/12 compulsory) Primary Education (ages 6-12, compulsory / 7:45-13:05) KA (Circle A) – (ages 6-9) KB (Circle B) – (ages 10-12) Secondary Education Gymnasium – Compulsory (ages 13-15) Lyceum (ages 16-18) Higher Education (Public and Private Universities)

Our educational system; main features Centralized educational system (top – down) Dept. of Primary Education; determines formal educational policy Primary Education Department - Director District Educational Office: carries out the educational objectives School Inspectors: act both as teachers’ advisors and evaluators Principal – Head/Deputies (according to school size) Teachers (Permanent staff, SEN teachers, therapists)

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND CULTURE MINISTER PERMANENT SECRETARY (GENERAL DIRECTOR) ADMINISTRATION PLANNING REGISTRY ACCOUNTS OFFICE EU & INTER-NATIONAL AFFAIRS PEDAGOGICAL INSTITUTE CENTRE OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND EVALUATION CULTURAL SERVICES OTHER AND UNITS PRIMARY EDUCATION SECONDARY HIGHER AND TERTIARY TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL COUNSELING AND CAREER EDUCATION SERVICE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT UNIT EDUCATIONAL PSYCOLOGY SERVICE SCHOOL CLERKS UNIT CYPRUS RESEARCH CENTRE

Our educational system; main features Main sources of support for our school Ministry of Education; textbooks, working books, extra time and teachers for (a) disadvantaged pupils, (b) pupils with learning difficulties, (c) pupils from other countries Professional Development; the Ministry of Education and especially the Paedagogical Institute with various seminars District or Municipality Education Board (elected by the people). The District Education Board provides / allocates the money for matters related with school buildings and well being of the teachers/pupils within our schools

PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION Its importance is recognised by the Government Since 2004, it is compulsory and free for one year prior to attending the primary school Three types of pre-primary institutions: public, community and private

PRIMARY EDUCATION Six-year free and compulsory Teacher salaries paid by the Government Annual grants to School Boards Schools in every town and village with 15+ pupils Pupil/teacher ratio 17:1 Class size: Grade 1-5: 25 pupils maximum, Grade 6: 30 pupils maximum

SECONDARY EDUCATION LOWER (GYMNASIUM) UPPER (LYCEUM) UNIFIED LYCEUM Basic general education that is compulsory for three years Efforts to upgrade the Gymnasium according to the demands of the society UPPER (LYCEUM) UNIFIED LYCEUM Provides education in line with modern trends in education and in particular those of Europe TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION Quite substantial contribution to the economic and industrial development of Cyprus

HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION Operation and expansion of the three public universities (University of Cyprus, Open University of Cyprus and Technological University of Cyprus) Public schools of Higher Education Programmes offered can be accredited by the Council of Educational Evaluation and Accreditation Upgrading of private schools of tertiary education and establishment of private universities

Teachers status / working conditions in Cyprus Teachers are appointed by the Educational Authority Committee The number of teachers used to be based on running needs / Shortage of teachers prior 1997-98 Today; primary teachers overload Teachers are eligible to be promoted for Head/Deputy after 12 years of teaching experience. They get an evaluation from the school inspector every 2 years. Promotion is mostly based on the available seats, the evaluation they get from the school inspector, the years of experience and any extra post-graduate diplomas they possess (MA or PhD). Teachers are transferred based on the “transfer points” they are getting during their teaching years. So, the most they get, the most likely for them to work near their homes. To earn “transfer points” they have to work at distant places. Teachers were considerably well paid for their professional work; however, today the economic crisis had an essential effect on teacher salaries

Teachers status / working conditions in Cyprus Cyprus’ Teachers’ working time; 7:30 am – 13:05 p.m. Once a week there is a staff meeting Teachers’ teaching time; It is related to the years of teaching experience; from Y1 till Y14 teachers teach 29 periods (1 period;40 minutes), from Y15 till Y20 they teach 27, more than 20 they teach 25. Deputies have to teach 23 periods and Principals from 8-14 (regarding the type of school) Curriculum - Textbooks; Since Independence Cyprus has developed its own curriculum. In some subjects i.e. Language, we use Greek textbooks, in others - i.e. Math, Science, Geography - we use textbooks provided by our Ministry of Education. There is no policy for using non-government textbooks. There are a lot of activities involved in everyday school work i.e. European Projects (i.e. Comenius), Environmental projects, Health and Safety Programs, Health Education Activities, etc