"No" to the obligatory use of a mask in primary schools, say the Organized Parents

The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth had successive meetings on Wednesday, August 18, focusing on the health protocol that will be followed in the new school year, in public and private education, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Specifically, the Minister, Prodromos Prodromou, met with the leadership of the Pancyprian Confederation of Associations of Parents of Primary Schools, the leadership of the Pancyprian Confederation of Associations of Parents of Public Schools and the Association of Public Schools

According to an announcement from the Ministry of Education, in all three meetings the Minister discussed issues concerning both the health protocol and the operation of schools and listened to the suggestions of his interlocutors.

During the meeting at the Ministry of Education, the leadership of the Pancyprian Confederation of Associations of Parents of Primary Schools was informed in detail about the health protocol that will be implemented in schools.

Regarding the use of masks by primary school students, the confederation supported the view that "a recommendation should be made for the use of masks by second grade students in Primary Schools, but it should not be mandatory".

At the meeting with the leadership of the Pancyprian Confederation of Parents' Associations of Parents of Public Secondary Schools, the Minister of Education informed about the health protocol, noting that the aim of the Ministry of Education is to attend in person.

He also said that unlike last year we have at our disposal the vaccine, which is a huge comparative advantage and stressed that we must think about the health of our children.

In this context, it was decided that a joint effort will be made by the Ministry of Education and the organized parents, in order to encourage the vaccination of students.

As Prodromos Prodromou said, "both parents and teachers have helped significantly in managing the pandemic in schools over the past year, and the positive response of our students has contributed to this."

The meeting was also attended by the Director General, Kypros Kyprianou, the Director of Secondary General Education, Dr. Kyprianos Louis, and the Director of Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Dr. Elias Markatzis.

During the meeting, with a delegation of the Board of Directors of the Association of Private Schools of Cyprus, the Minister informed the representatives of the Association about the health protocol and the way the schools operate during this school year.

It is noted that a corresponding meeting for information will be held with the Pancyprian Federation of Associations of Parents and Guardians of Private Schools.