By Giorgos Vichas[/B]
First days of the test to stay with students, parents and teachers being asked to adapt to the new data.
In a first assessment of the implementation of the measure and the units acting as sampling points, there is talk of delays observed in various cases as well as staffing issues
of the crews handling the whole process.
However, for their part, the Ministry of Health appears satisfied with the way the first few days are going, saying that the whole process is running smoothly, with any problems that arise being recorded and dealt with immediately.
The implementation of the measure and problems identified are expected to be the focus of a wide-ranging meeting to be held next Monday in the presence of all those involved.
Recording of problems, suggestions and proposals by PDOED
Speaking to the Cyprus Times, PDOED President Myria Vassiliou said that we can now have safe conclusions about the whole picture of the implementation of the measure, noting at the same time that a questionnaire was sent to all addresses in order to record problems, suggestions and proposals.
"There are some procedural issues and in some cases there has been confusion, for which we will recommend either increasing the number of centres for testing or increasing the number of staff in the centres so that they can serve more people," explained the President of the PDOED.
"Our aim is to do a mapping of the whole picture of where the problems exist and move towards resolution" she noted. Ms. Vassiliou said there is a scheduled meeting with the principals on Friday for a more extensive update. "Everything that is recorded will be codified and presented on Monday at the wide-ranging meeting with all parties involved," she said.
In response to a question regarding the announced one-hour work stoppage on February 7, the PDED President said they expect action, having given a 15-day window and noted that as had been reported in previous days, the issue will be reviewed by the Board of Directors on February 3 and decisions will be made. He reiterated that the problem does not concern the test to stay but the whole management of the pandemic and the decisions affecting the operation of schools.
Delays, planning issues and lack of capacity, say Parents
For his part, the President of the Pancyprian Confederation of Parents of Primary Education said that there are practical issues.
Speaking to the Cyprus Times, Frixos Zebylas said that "there are delays and scheduling issues, we see at the same time that adjustments and efforts are being made".
Issues of delays and understaffing were highlighted in previous days by the Cyprus Times in related reports.
- Long wait and inconvenience for test-to-stay in Limassol. The crew was 50 minutes late (pics)
- Second day of inconvenience for "test to stay" in Limassol. Parents' protests (pics)[/URL]
He noted that there are schools that do not have adequate spaces to cope with the whole process, better planning was needed.
Zembylas said that yesterday afternoon at a meeting of the Secretariat a first evaluation of the measure was made, which is expected to take place in the coming days.
He said there are some capacity shortages
in health units, while there are some issues in the countryside.
"We are monitoring and noting, there are suggestions and we expect to see how the situation will develop in the coming days," he concluded.
The Ministry of Health is evaluating. "Minor problems that existed were dealt with immediately."
At the same time, satisfaction with the results of the first days of implementation of the measure prevails at the Ministry of Health.
Speaking to the Cyprus[/B] Times Communication Advisor to the Minister of Health, Constantinos Athanasiou, noted that there was not the slightest problem with regard to the conduct of the examinations.
"Some other minor procedural problems that existed were immediately addressed through coordinated actions," he stressed.
As he reported from the second day there was a significant increase in the percentage of students who rushed to the centres for tests. He explained that this is the aim to identify positive cases in time. "Based on the results, it proves that we must continue to achieve our goal of keeping schools open."
In conclusion, Athanasiou noted that the situation is constantly being assessed and all issues will be put on the table at next Monday's wide-ranging meeting with all stakeholders.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
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