The Ministry of Education is set to launch an alternative school in October for students with severe behavioural issues, Education Minister Athena Michaelidou announced on Thursday.
The pilot project, to be initiated in Nicosia, will cater to students who have exhausted all other options within the traditional public school system, including those who carry weapons.
This programme is not for merely unruly students, but for those with extreme delinquent behaviours, Minister Michaelidou stated.
Enrolled students will continue their academic studies whilst receiving specialised support from clinical psychologists, sociologists, and speech therapists. Parental consent is mandatory for enrolment.
The alternative school forms part of a broader strategy to address school violence and delinquency.
Additional measures include extending security presence to middle schools, enhancing lighting, and installing security cameras in select schools on a trial basis.
Concurrently, the Minister stated that it is progressing with its initiative to install air conditioning in schools. Ten schools in Nicosia have already received 346 new air conditioners, with plans to equip an additional 50 schools in the next phase.
Minister Michaelidou also outlined various educational initiatives for the upcoming academic year, including an increase in Optional All-Day Schools, extended operating hours, and the digitisation of schools (including electronic registration and digital student portfolios), and discussions on key issues like the new teacher evaluation plan and appointment system.
The Minister also acknowledged concerns raised by MPs and stakeholders regarding delays in school staffing for the upcoming year. She relayed assurances from the Education Commission for a smooth start, with no anticipated issues in staffing.
However, OELMEK President Demetris Taliadoros expressed concerns about staffing delays and the practice of principal transfers. “We will not accept any further principal transfers,” Taliadoros stated, highlighting that approximately 130 secondary education teachers had not yet accepted their appointments days before the start of the school year.
Yesterday evening, the Ministry also published the updated curriculum outlines for all subjects and grades in primary and secondary general education.
As previously communicated, these updates may involve reductions or modifications to course content, timing adjustments, or simple revisions.
The Ministry emphasised that the curriculum update project is ongoing, with further reductions in content planned, as well as enhancements through the Recovery and Resilience Fund to infuse digital skills and align the curriculum with labour market needs.
The Ministry aims to streamline the curriculum, focusing on essential knowledge and skills. They also promote alternative assessment methods beyond exams to evaluate students’ competencies from preschool through graduation.
