Students flock to schools, but many parents remain wary

As primary and middle school students returned to school classrooms on Thursday as part of the second phase of the relaxation of measures, Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou said that Cyprus as a whole has earned this ability to gradually return to normality, but reports signalled not all parents were thrilled with the idea of sending their children to school.

Though high school seniors had already returned to classrooms since May 11, as the Education Ministry had prioritized their need to secure their ticked for higher education, primary and secondary school students flocked to schools islandwide which had bolted their doors for over two months as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

“We have earned this opportunity to be able to, gradually and carefully, reactivate education,” Prodromou said in statements during a visit to the 2nd elementary school of Engomi, Nicosia.

Prodromou added that most children had returned to school on Thursday, when teachers were expected to convey to students the health and safety protocols in place.

Teaching according to the students’ curriculum will begin as of next week, Prodromou said, adding that some of the time lost will be regained and that from the beginning of the next school year an effort will be made to make up for the rest of this year’s educational losses.

Prodromou also said that testing is ongoing in schools across Cyprus, adding that results will be passed to an advisory group of scientists and that the situation will be continuously monitored.

“All together, Cyprus as a country, we have earned this possibility to slowly return to normality,” he stressed.

The Education Minister said he understands that parents are worried and said that the government is vigilant so that safety rules can be upheld.

If we abide by the advice of experts and if protocols in place are implemented in the schools, I think everything will go well, he added.

Not all parents happy to send children back to school

According to Kathimerini Cyprus, citing sources at the Education Ministry, many parents chose to keep their children at home as fears are still high over coronavirus infection, despite the government’s decision to order the resumption of schools.

However, government officials claim that the return of children to schools will allow them to get hands-on knowledge on the health and safety measures that will be governing our lives for a long time.