The government's proposal was simply the gradual extension of the Pre-Municipal system - confusion and negative results were caused by the intervention of some parties in the Parliament
Regarding today's article in which the newspaper and the AKEL side blames the Government for the developments around Pre-Primary Education[/I][/B]
Today's article in which the newspaper and the AKEL side blames the Government for the developments around Pre-Primary Education, we want to recall the facts beyond allegations and slogans.
The government proposed the gradual expansion of pre-primary education in the coming years, so that it would start at the age of four, but the House of Representatives intervened to make the relevant legislation unconstitutional. Different amendments by opposition political parties were piled up in a bizarre result that for the first time in Cyprus excludes the possibility for citizens to freely exercise choice.
In this regard and in relation to allegations that "confusion" is being created, it should be clarified that the Government's bill was clear and simple: to stipulate that pre-primary education starts from the age of four, gradually over the next three school years. Any confusion was created by interventions, initiatives and changes brought in by specific parliamentary groups.
Relatedly, for the transition to extended pre-primary education, the Government had secured €12.2 million in aid under the Recovery Plan "Cyprus_to_Tomorrow", but some opposition parties in Parliament were quick to cancel it. AKEL in particular tried to discredit this European support to the extension of the pre-municipal programme, misleadingly using the term 'vouchers' and thus remaining firm in its problematic relationship with European policies.
The fact remains that the political position of a majority created by AKEL, DIKO, ELAM and the Ecologists has resulted in a law that is both unconstitutional and practically impossible to implement. Similarly, it cancels the possibility of making use of the EUR 12.2 million grant provided for in the Recovery Plan.
However, it would be good if the views of thousands of households and young couples who are directly concerned could also be heard on this issue.
IP
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