The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, Mr Prodromos Prodromou, met yesterday in Limassol with the European Commissioner for Equality, Ms Helena Dalli, on the sidelines of the IDAHOT+ Forum, to which she was an official guest.
During the meeting, they discussed priority areas that fall within the portfolio of the European Commissioner and promote equality and freedom of European citizens, which are fundamental values of Europe, but also of every society.
The Minister of Education said that on the occasion of the Commissioner's visit to Cyprus, which contributes to the necessary strengthening of the relations of citizens and society with the European institutions, it is an appropriate moment to take stock of the progress made in Cyprus over the last decade in terms of strengthening gender equality, reducing various forms of discrimination and social exclusion and the due guarantee of the rights of citizens with disabilities.
In particular, Mr Prodromou informed the European Commissioner about the strategic actions promoted by the Directorates and Services of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth (MESY), such as the policy of the MESY for the Integration of Children with Immigrant Biography in the Educational System of Cyprus. At the same time, he spoke about the actions implemented by the Interdepartmental Committee, in which representatives of the Directorates of Education (Secondary General, Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training and Primary Education), the Pedagogical Institute and the Centre for Educational Research and Evaluation (CEEA) participate, on the basis of the relevant policy document on the integration of these students. He noted, at the same time, that within the framework of this policy the Ministry has made plans for the admission of students from Ukraine to public schools at all levels. He also referred to the services and programmes offered by the Special Education Department in order to address the special needs of children with disabilities or other special educational needs. Prodromou presented the actions implemented within the framework of the Ministry's Policy to address and eliminate racism, with particular reference to the Code of Conduct against Racism and the Guide for the Management and Recording of Racist Incidents, as well as the Network of Schools to support the implementation of the Ministry's Anti-Racist Policy.
He also presented the Ministry's efforts to promote the goal of gender equality in education, which is promoted, inter alia, through the work of the Interdepartmental Committee for Gender Equality. This Commission, he pointed out, cooperates with other committees and organisations, such as the Commission for Gender Equality in Employment and Vocational Education of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. The Minister stressed that from school, and especially from an early age, we can prepare a society with the desired gender balance both in positions of responsibility and in decision-making centres.
Subsequently, Mr Prodromou spoke with the European Commissioner about the Ministry's actions aimed at addressing social stereotypes, gender-based violence and promoting sex education for pupils in the school environment. In this context, she referred to the work of the Ministry's Educational Psychology Service, the systematic efforts to train teachers, as well as to national strategies promoting gender equality and the protection of children from sexual exploitation and abuse.
Finally, Mr Prodromou highlighted the Ministry's readiness to continue and upgrade cooperation with European institutions - taking into account the contribution of co-funded programmes, such as DPA.S.E.+ - and in particular with the Office of the Commissioner for Equality. At the same time, he added that there is targeted training of teachers by the Pedagogical Institute on relevant issues and stressed the importance of using European Networks and Programmes, such as the Erasmus+ Programme, where we take advantage of the willingness of Cypriot teachers, students and pupils for European mobility. In the same context, the Commissioner for Equality stressed the important role of education in promoting the issues within her portfolio.
IP
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
Source[/P]
