The creation of a new system of student evaluation and the abolition of four-year exams, and the "unfair" employment regime of the educational services market are some of the proposals of presidential candidate, Andreas Mavroyiannis, which he presented on Tuesday during a press conference at the offices of his central election headquarters in Nicosia.
In his speech, Mavroyiannis said that education is at the heart of their priorities and that their "strong" belief is that the answer to every question and dilemma we face as a society is the triad of education, education and literacy. "This is the basis for the development of any progressive society and modern state," he said, but the key "that will open the door to the modern age."
Flanked by fellow education experts, he said that in the last 10 years "unfortunately, education has suffered at the hands of those in power" who had no vision, plan and goal for education, he said, adding that it was "left in the vortex of haphazard planning, unilateral decisions and controversial and piecemeal policies."
"We want and can leave all this behind," he said. Mavroyiannis, stating that through five modules "we are creating the education we deserve", digital, innovative, modern, that enhances the quality of life of society, inclusive, democratic and people-centred, with a culture of creation and innovation, and "inspiring".
On assuming the responsibility of governance, he said that, among many other things, they will emphasize 20 measures, such as, re-evaluation of timetables and curricula, integration of technology in the preparation and delivery of lessons, promoting participatory teaching and learning methods inside and outside the classroom, ensuring that all students have access to a computer or tablet and opportunities to learn second and third foreign languages from primary school.
He also referred to creating two new technical schools with the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan measure and upgrading existing infrastructure while designing programmes for full-day utilisation, strengthening the role of the programmes and increasing enrolment in post-secondary vocational education and training institutes.
Mr. Mavroyiannis also intends to set up a National Council for Higher Education with the aim of redesigning higher education in Cyprus, as well as to proceed with a targeted expansion of public all-day schools, abolition of "the unfair" contracting regime of the service market for educational services, "substantial" strengthening of counselling and educational psychology and vocational guidance services in schools, and a gradual and considered transition to the era of integrated education.
He also referred to respect for mechanisms for dialogue with teachers, students and parents, an increase in permanent organic posts in pre-primary, primary, special and secondary education "to address problems and distortions of the new appointment system" and co-design within six months "a new integrated system of assessment of students and abolition of quarterly examinations after a dialogue of all stakeholders".
On the extension of pre-primary education for 4 to 6-year-olds, he said that "while it is a logical and necessary measure", the government is taking the "wrong approach" to its implementation. He noted that instead of looking after infrastructure and human resources and then making the policy decision, and, instead of investing in public school structures and staff, it is choosing to subsidise private sector tuition, which is "all wrong" in their view, he said. Public education, he said, needs to be invested in infrastructure and human resources.
Mavroyiannis referred to the "tragic result" in recent days of "the failure of our society and our education system" which is violence on the playing fields, he said. "It does not bring honour to our country, it saddens us very much," Mavroyiannis said, adding that society, the State, the State and all institutions are required to understand the magnitude of this problem.
Responding to reporters' questions on the issue of infrastructure for all-day schools, he said it is a matter of political will and determination." "There is some cost," he noted, but expressed the view that it is not difficult to create spaces in schools for children's meals. Asked what he believes the relationship between the Church and education should be, Mavroyiannis said he is in favour of the complete separation of the Church from the State.
In relation to the discussions in Parliament on various issues concerning schools, he said that "it is unacceptable" that the content of timetables and what students are taught should be decided on political criteria. On the issue of sex education, he said that "we have reached the point of misinterpreting" the issue and that it is a social approach and not an evaluative one.
On the issue of four months, Mavroyiannis noted that he is trying to see where it has helped, saying that it is a fully exam-centric system that does not give students a breathing space to learn and that Cyprus could look at good practices internationally. On admission to higher education, he said he believes that there should be access to those who want it and it is mainly up to the universities to set their criteria and select the candidates they want.
Source: CNA
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
