[PIO] Address by the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Dr Athina Michailidou at the Pancyprian Educational Conference of Headmasters and

It is with great pleasure that I welcome the Pancyprian Educational Conference of Directors of Primary Education Schools on "Teachers' well-being: From Theory to Practice". The Conference, co-organised by the Sectoral Committee of Primary School Principals, the international research organisation CARDET and the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, is a continuation of last year's conference, keeping at the centre of interest the debate on an issue that does not only concern the well-being and "welfare" of teachers, but is a parameter that affects the entire education system.

Teachers have the difficult task of shaping active, democratic and critical thinking citizens. However, all too often, the demands of everyday life and the current needs arising in their family, professional and social environment significantly limit the opportunities available to them and minimise the time available for their own well-being and development. This finding signals the need to ensure conditions that support teachers' well-being.

Teachers' well-being is a very broad concept, which in the research literature is defined on the basis of various models that break it down into a variety of components. Working conditions, workload, work community, professional competence, opportunities for professional development, personal characteristics and school climate are usually mentioned as indicative parameters that shape it. Therefore, the thorough study and improvement of these parameters is considered particularly important for achieving teacher well-being.

Regardless of how and how it is conceptualized, the level of teacher well-being has practical implications for the success of teachers' mission. There is research evidence that demonstrates that teacher well-being enhances teachers' ability to significantly control sources of tension in their teaching work, implement effective classroom management strategies, and foster mutually supportive relationships with their students toward creating a positive climate in the school community.

The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, recognizing the role and importance of teachers' well-being, will continue to support in every way possible the efforts of the educational community to enhance the professional well-being of its members. This issue is not seen as a mere necessity, but as a fundamental condition for the improvement of our education system. For this reason, we will look forward with interest to the findings of today's conference. We hope that by focusing on identifying the needs and priorities of the educational policy and strategy of Cyprus on issues related to the well-being and professional learning of teachers at all levels, we, as a Ministry, will contribute to the support and professional learning of teachers at all levels. Teachers are the "backbone" of the education system and the main vehicle for the implementation of our policies and it is no coincidence that the objective of their empowerment and professional support and development is a key priority of the Governance Programme.

In addition, as you are well aware, from the very first moment we took over and on the basis of the Governance Programme, our aim is to improve the level of public schools, promoting actions based mainly on prevention, early diagnosis

On the path we are following towards a modern, human-centred and inclusive school, we have already made progress by implementing policies that improve the quality of the education provided and the working conditions of our teachers. In particular, we have proceeded, among other things:

1. The promotion of the modernization and updating of the Analytical Programmes,
2. the expansion and upgrading of the institution of all-day school,
3. the initiation of the process of transition from special to integrated education,
4. the pedagogical upgrading of the Ministry's support programmes, with the abolition of the purchase of services scheme,
5. the acceleration of the digital transformation of the education system,
6. the adoption of measures for prevention, early diagnosis and intervention in issues of violence/violence and literacy, from pre-school age and at all levels of education,
7. the introduction of free compulsory education from the age of 4 years,
8. the introduction of free compulsory education from the age of 4 years, one of the most important educational reforms of recent years,
9. the strengthening of Life Education programmes with an emphasis on civic education and values such as empathy, mutual respect and respect for diversity, and
10. the further improvement of school infrastructure.

At the same time, on an issue that directly concerns you, the principals of our school units in primary education, that of the increase in management time, and, by extension, the reduction of your teaching time, I inform you that, as the Ministry, we are in consultation with the PDEA and we hope that we will soon come up with a plan that will enable you to run our schools more effectively by implementing and applying leadership and not just administration, but also contribute to the effort to further improve our education system. At a later time, and based on other improvements in our education system, we will look holistically at the issue of supporting the school leadership team. As with all policies we adopt, this plan is based on pedagogical criteria and research results and will be implemented within the State's budgetary constraints.

In conclusion, I assure you that I will continue, as I have always done, to support teachers in their work, to promote the examples of good practice that we have in the daily life of our schools, to put forward pedagogical and research criteria for any policy decisions and to work in collaboration with all stakeholders. We have already established a more modern cooperation with the PDOED, far from old-fashioned unionism, and I want to believe that this will continue for the good of education.

I extend my warmest congratulations to the distinguished speakers for their willingness to participate in today's conference with very interesting contributions. I also congratulate all those who contributed to the organisation of this important conference, as well as all of you for your active interest and participation.

With these thoughts, I declare the Conference open and wish you every success in its proceedings.

IP

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