Newsroom / CNA
Athina Michaelidou, Cyprus’ Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth, highlighted today the importance of a collective effort in addressing school violence, with the roles of parents, schools, and communities being essential. She revealed exciting plans to install security cameras in three Larnaca district primary schools starting Monday to combat vandalism and enhance student safety.
Next week, the Minister will unveil a long-awaited proposal for teacher evaluations, aimed at creating a more efficient and fair system. She emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to proceeding with the least amount of opposition, seeking to engage teachers, parents, and other stakeholders in shaping the reforms. The new evaluation plan promises faster assessments, continuous professional development, and new opportunities for teachers who wish to advance or remain in the classroom.
In Larnaca, the government is investing €47 million in education infrastructure, including the construction of a Technical School, new school buildings, and major upgrades to existing schools. With these improvements, Michaelidou stressed the importance of safety measures, noting that a system of security cameras is already proving effective in other regions and will soon be rolled out in Larnaca.
The Minister also discussed the Ministry’s efforts in addressing violence and other challenges in schools, emphasizing the importance of prevention programs alongside intervention. A collaborative approach is key, with the School Board and the Ministry working together to ensure that school environments are safe, modern, and conducive to learning.
As for the ongoing infrastructure projects, Larnaca’s School Board President, Gianna Nicolaou, highlighted the completion of air conditioning installations and the ongoing upgrades in schools, ensuring that all will be ready for exam periods. The collaboration with the Ministry of Education is proving fruitful, with an eye on addressing the district’s most urgent educational needs.
