In the given conditions with the epidemiological data as we all know it, the situation in schools is definitely difficult, said the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, Prodromos Prodromou, in a statement to the Cyprus News Agency.
Asked what is the situation in schools, Prodromou said that "we have absences of a number of teachers".
"Some are for pandemic reasons[/B] whether it is outbreaks, or contacts," he said, adding that "some others have to stay at home for childcare purposes, which are also under restriction."
According to Mr Prodromou, "today a very large number of replacements had to be made, some hundreds."
"All possible means have been mobilised[/B] and to the maximum extent possible we have managed to make replacements," he said.
It should be noted, he said, "that a number of students are also missing from the schools. This is also consequent, precisely because of the pandemic. Of course, in secondary education, a number of students are also missing, who are probably preparing for the exams that will start in high schools and technical schools on Friday."
The Education Minister also said that efforts made through the Education Service Commission are exhausting lists and available substitutes and from there, internal arrangements are being enlisted either between Ministry of Education programs, utilizing some teachers serving in DRA schools,
He said there are firm instructions in the directorates of the Ministry of Education.
"We have tomorrow's numbers. I have an information that in Secondary Education probably a number of almost137 teachers will be needed additionally, of which the actual need will be around 60," he said, adding that "the replacement process based on the regulations is for teachers who are absent for three days or more."
And secondly, he continued. Prodromou, "a number of those absent have long been with chronic conditions."
Therefore, he said, "the actual numbers that we have to make up are different."
"I appeal to educational organisations to stop trying to guess the numbers and sending misleading messages as well. The only valid statistics are those given by the Ministry's directorates in cooperation with the Educational Service Commission," he added.
Prodromou said that there is a struggle "and today, with great efforts, it was possible to replace the missing teachers and tomorrow we predict that we will succeed."
"The pressure is great," he noted, assuring that "in the Ministry of Education we are all alert and we are constantly working with the Education Service Commission." But, he added, "I am appealing to education organisations to stop trying to find and give numbers because there are figures which they do not know and they are also sending misleading figures."
"In any case, we are utilizing the available staff that we have in the Ministry, pending even the meetings that are taking place in the Ministry of Health, with whom we have continuous cooperation both for the processing of cases, for the diagnostic tests and we are discussing, as I have said, again with the Minister of Health to utilize especially in schools and the process of self-testing," he added.
Quarterly exams
Responding on the issue of quarterly exams and students who will be absent due to the pandemic, Mr. Prodromou said that there is a fixed provision, which applies regardless of the pandemic.
"It is always intended to have a second set of exams for those who for whatever reason will be prevented,
will be excused absent and will not attend the exams," he clarified.
Since the time the subject was set, he said, "e have for each examination two subjects, two essays, just for this purpose."
So, he added, "this is nothing new."
"What we will do especially this year is in case there is a need to have a third series and of course, for some children to sit exams who have missed the first examination, this will not be at the expense of attendance. We are talking about a few hours afterwards, once the exams are over," he concluded."
Source: CNA
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