It was with great pleasure that I accepted the invitation extended to me by the President and members of the Board of Directors of the Pancyprian Association of Teachers and Kindergarten Teachers, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Organization.
My presence constitutes practical proof of the respect and appreciation, both of myself personally and of the entire State, towards you and all your colleagues who serve with dedication the Education of our country.
Education, which they defended and preserved in critical moments for our country, contributing at the same time to the development of the educational and cultural level of our people.
Education, which they defended and preserved in critical moments for our country, contributing at the same time to the development of the educational and cultural level of our people.
These are the goals that PADED Vanguardia has placed at the centre of its 40-year journey, succeeding as one of the oldest organised bodies to become renowned for the active presence and creative contribution of its members to the educational events of our country.
The conditions under which the PADED was founded are well known. I will not refer to the then prevailing political climate and regime, there is no need to pick any wounds with reference to times when political thinking should, according to some, have been guided by authority. You had the courage, they had the courage, to stand up, to promote our ideas, our ideology, which is none other than respect for freedom of thought, thus creating the conditions for a more creative Education by creating the conditions of achievement.
Since then until today, the PADED remains the protagonist of the educational events of our country.
Since then until today, the PADED remains the protagonist of the educational events of our country.
That is why I wish you all the best in the course, all the best for our Education, there is no doubt that what you have sought is the preservation of our culture, our national origin, with full respect for diversity, with full respect for opposing views, and this is one of the most important contributions you have made during your distinguished 40-year career. In our efforts to form young people with a critical outlook, in our efforts to enhance the prestige of education, in our efforts to modernize, we have proceeded first and foremost to reorganize the Ministry itself, where radical changes have taken place, with the aim of promoting modern, sound administration and creating individual structures that allow for the effective implementation of its mission.
In addition, for the first time since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, a number of other changes have been achieved for the benefit of students and teaching staff. However, it is sufficiently illustrative to note as the main ones:
- The abolition of the antiquated system of appointments in education and its replacement by examinations from which the best are selected to teach our children.
- The continuous modernisation of the content of education through new curricula and timetables.
- The implementation of the Single Pupil Assessment Plan covering pre-primary education up to the third grade.
At the same time, with regard to the evaluation of educational work and teachers, the dialogue on the comprehensive proposal submitted by the Ministry to all stakeholders has already begun.
- The implementation of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Programme in Primary Education, which offers students the necessary key skills for citizens and professionals of the 21st century.
- The introduction of French as a compulsory subject in grades 5 and 6 in integrated comprehensive primary schools.
- The teaching of Digital Technologies as a separate teaching unit in the subject 'Design and Technology - Digital Technologies' with new curricula.
- The operation of summer schools in primary education.
- The extension of the co-funded programme DPA.S.E. (School and Social Inclusion Actions) to enhance access, smooth and effective integration and participation of all children of school and pre-school age in the educational system, regardless of socio-economic conditions, learning status or other particularities and/or problems.
- The reform and modernisation of existing legislation and practices in special education and training in order to ensure the right of children with disabilities to equal and unimpeded access to education.
In addition to the above, equally important is the emphasis we place on enhancing the functionality and efficiency of school units, aiming to improve the learning climate and learning outcomes.
To this end, we have sought to create modern innovative building and technical facilities in a way that enriches pedagogical practices.
In this context, over the last decade, 23 school buildings worth more than 100 million euros, 250 extensions, seismic upgrades, general improvements and renovations have been completed, as well as more than 800 smaller-scale projects worth more than 120 million euros, while infrastructure projects estimated at more than 80 million euros are currently being implemented.
Within the figures I mention the importance we also attach to building facilities. I know that there are still gaps and deficiencies, schools that need renovation. It is a constant effort to respond in order to create humane conditions both for teachers and for children.
What I have just mentioned is only part of what has been done so far in terms of redefining the role of the school and reviewing its content and organisation.
It is in this direction, the further development of the education provided at all levels, that we remain committed.
It is in this direction, the further development of the education provided at all levels, that we remain committed.
This is why the future planning adopted in the National Plan "Cyprus - Tomorrow" for the pillar of education, includes specific policy objectives and investment actions, amounting to more than 100 million euros, which are expected to give even more substantial continuation to the plans and further upgrading of the work produced so far.
By way of illustration only, I mention yesterday's decision, which is important for teachers, but also for workers more broadly, for the people more broadly. The extension of free compulsory pre-school education from the age of 3 years and 8 months and the tuition coverage of children aged 3 years to 4 years and 8 months attending public kindergartens.
I also mention the digital transformation of all classrooms in schools, the cultivation of e-skills in teachers and students, and addressing the skills mismatch between secondary and higher education and the labour market.
In the effort to modernise our education system, we invest in you, the teachers, as important partners in our efforts.
I am absolutely confident that through your dialogue, opinions and suggestions we will achieve even more important steps, for the good and benefit of our students, and our country more broadly.
In conclusion, I would like once again to congratulate the PADED Vanguard for the role it has played over the years for the injections of knowledge we have received, the vaccination, as it could be said, given, I hope, a failed pandemic, so that with more care, with more experience coming from your own experiences, decisions can be made that contribute to the good of our Education.
(PM/NG)
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