Health services dealing with positive case at high school

The Ayiou Charalambous high school in the Paphos district Emba village, where a teacher had tested positive for coronavirus, remained closed on Tuesday while the premises were disinfected, and the state health services identified his possible contacts.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, the final result emerged after the second test, as the first emerged inconclusive.

The potential spread of coronavirus in schools was a major source of concern for parents and teachers alike after the government agreed to instruct the resumption of schools within May as part of the gradual return to normality against the backdrop of a flattening coronavirus curve.

High school graduates returned to classrooms on May 11, as their successful completion of final exams formed a top priority for the Education Ministry, while the remainder of school grades returned on May 21, with the exception of the first and second grades of high schools that are to complete the academic year through e-learning, in a move the government said aims to limit crowding.

Pre-school and kindergarten children are to sit out the academic year.

Round of tests targeting schools ongoing

The Ministry of Education said on Tuesday that the round of 20,000 coronavirus tests targeting schools that was announced earlier in May was well underway.

By Tuesday, some 8,000 students and school staff of kindergartens, primary, middle, secondary, technical, and private schools had been tested.

Special needs schools remain closed, some students back at school

After an announcement by the Education Ministry earlier this month stated it would not be allowing special needs students to return to school classrooms in unison with other students, it was faced with widespread reaction by political parties, organizations, and infuriated parents, who staged demonstrations outside the Ministry premises demanding their children be treated without discrimination. 

In statements on Monday after a meeting with the epidemiological team, Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou said 769 students were permitted to return to school.  These involved special needs students without any health issues, who either participate in special needs units or have an escort.

But special needs students with health concerns that place them under vulnerable groups in terms of their susceptibility to contracting coronavirus, were instructed to stay home

Though special needs schools will remain closed for the time being, Prodromou said, but hinted that the matter is not final, noting that the Education Ministry is ready for the schools to reopen but is awaiting the green light from health experts monitoring the pandemic.