Minister of Education vows for strict health protocol implementation as schools reopen

LoveCyprus — Mon, 11 May 2020 05:34:58 +0000

Minister of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth, Prodromos Prodromou assured on Saturday that the authorities will strictly implement health protocols as schools reopen, following almost two months of lockdown measures to curb the spreading of the coronavirus outbreak.

Prodromou announced last Wednesday that all students will return to classrooms by May 21 with final year students returning next Monday, causing concerns by both parents, teachers unions and political parties whether students are safe to return to schools.

On Saturday Prodromou, along with members of the Ministry of Health’s advisory scientific committee on the coronavirus, held a teleconference with school Principals ahead the school reopening.

“With the return of final year students on Monday we will proceed with the strict implementation of health protocols so we can return safely,” Prodromou said, adding that all health and safety protocols both for students and for school principals and teachers have been finalized.

He added that directions and guidelines will also be given to parents and guardians, noting that everything is prepared under the directions of the Ministry of Health’s experts.

Noting that he understands the concerns and anxiety expressed, Prodromou added however that “we can make it if we strictly follow guidelines and (health) measures as we did as a society (in handling the covid-10 outbreak crisis).”

Prodromou also referred to the 20,000 random tests to be carried out among students and teachers, in decontamination of schools, class designation, provision of antiseptic and the creation of quarantine areas if necessary.

Source: CNA

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The school year will be completed, Minister of Education tells CNA

LoveCyprus — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 06:23:00 +0000

The school year will be completed, Minister of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth, Prodromos Prodromou told CNA, adding that there will be solutions for the children to continue school and for graduates to achieve a credible school leaving certificate and compete for positions at the public universities in Cyprus and Greece.

As we get a clearer picture of how things develop, with the data provided by the government advisors and epidemiologists, we will be able to announce how the rest of the year will be completed, he said.

The Minister held teleconference with the parents’ associations from all levels of education. He said the discussions were constructive, noting they provided useful suggestions. He also informed them on the course of online education and support as well as the next steps.

He informed the parents on the ministry’s planning for the rest of the year and about the graduates and the Pancyprian admissions’ tests “as they are a priority and concern for all”.

The Minister urged teachers to continue providing educational support to children during the next two weeks which are part of the Easter holiday. He suggested they take a break from Holy Thursday until Easter Tuesday.

It is important to maintain communication and a sense that teachers are standing by the children, he added.

Regarding planning, he said as the days go by, we will have a clearer picture and with the data provided by the government’s advisors and epidemiologists, we will be able to announce how the rest of the school year will continue.

As far as graduates are concerned, he said the children will be examined for the material they have covered until 13^th of March. However, there will be announcements. “We will provide solutions for the children’s school career and for graduates to claim positions at the public universities of Cyprus and Greece on equal terms with credible procedures”, the minister added.

The minister said he assured parents, especially those of elementary education that the support will continue.

Asked if planning will be disrupted if the exams for entry to the Greek universities take place in September, Prodromou said “we don’t have planning for September”. However, he said that if the epidemiological situation is altered, then we cannot exclude anything. The effort is to prepare the exams before the enlistment of the new National Guard conscripts, the minister said.

He further added that all children that do not have tablets will be given while internet services will be installed in all the 2000 cases which applied.

Source: CNA

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Minister of Education vows for strict health protocol implementation as schools reopen

The school year will be completed, Minister of Education tells CNA