Pr: The Ministry takes a positive view of the adaptation of school hours to current social needs and lifestyles
The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, Mr. Prodromos Prodromou, on the sidelines of his visit today to Pallouriotissa High School and Gymnasium for the inauguration of the school's stadium, made statements to journalists regarding the recommendation made by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Education to change the opening hours of schools.
Specifically, asked about the issue, the Minister said: "It is two issues together. On the one hand, there is the extension of school hours, i.e. the creation of full-day school programmes. We already have too many Full Day Primary Schools and we are seeking to expand the institution. There is already a full-day secondary school programme operating on a pilot basis at the Pancyprian Gymnasium, and the Ministry's objectives are to create full-day secondary school structures and to generalise full-day schools."
"Along with this issue," the Education Minister said, "there is also the issue of school opening hours, regardless of whether they are morning or full-day. We proposed the opening of a dialogue a year ago, because indeed, it is generally agreed that we need to discuss this issue. At that time we asked for opinions from all sides, the organised groups, the stakeholders. However, because of the pandemic, the issue did not move forward. However, we can now discuss it."
"The Ministry", said Mr Prodromou, "sees positively the differentiation and adaptation of school hours to current social needs and lifestyles. Of course, the issue is also related to the transport of children to school, which we need to discuss."
"But we welcome," he added, "the initiative of the Chairman of the Education Committee of the Parliament and the desire to have a dialogue. We need a debate, all sides need to be heard - both teachers and organised parents and the social actors affected. But I think it would be desirable - if we differentiate the timetables - that there should not be a single timetable for all schools. We will be there, we will engage in the dialogue, and hopefully, if there are results and a common will, we will move forward with improving changes."
In response to a question regarding what would be the "most appropriate" attendance timetable, the Minister said: "In these matters there is no absolute right and absolute wrong. They should be arrangements that are helpful and accommodate the lifestyle and needs of both schools and families. The general finding was that, at least for high schools and technical schools, school starts too early. But in a debate like this, each plus has certain issues that need to be discussed, so I don't want to prejudge the debate. I would stress, however, that adapting working hours to modern social conditions also requires the development of collective transport. If there is the will and the decision, the Government is ready to provide public transport for the transport of pupils to and from schools."
The Ministry had also made proposals in the past to differentiate school hours according to age, i.e. the older age groups could start a little later. Looking at the length of the school day as well-because I understand that such proposals are being heard in the House-is also an issue that needs a lot of discussion. You know that we always need more time in schools, which is why we are promoting full-day schools. But all this has some conditions which we are ready to discuss."
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