The rapid increase in cases worries the educational organizations OELMEK, OLTEK and POED and they are particularly concerned about the operation of schools.
OELMEK: The question of whether or not the schools will open should be closed as soon as possible
The President of OELMEK, Costas Hadjisavvas, in his statements to KYPE, said that the rapid increase of their cases is of particular concern.
"We ourselves are wondering how it is possible, while until December 22-23, before the schools closed, we had about a limited number of cases in schools and in Cyprus in general, within 10-12 days there will be this frightening increase in cases, with resulting in increased concerns on the part of everyone in general ", he said.
"What worries us most is the issue of the operation of schools. "We all know that on January 10, that is, next Monday, teachers and students will attend schools regularly." he added.
Answering a question, Mr. Hadjisavvas said that so far there is no new information, "but it certainly bothers what we hear every day, various rumors, whether or not schools will open and distance learning will be implemented."
What is important, continued the President of OELMEK, on this issue and those who make such statements must be very careful, "because we must say that especially for the Lyceum this year, our students will attend for the first time and the three classes in central examinations and in particular the senior students of the DG Lyceum, which these examinations concern their diploma ".
"So, the question of whether they will open or not (SS schools) must be closed as soon as possible. To inform everyone about where they are going ", write down.
According to him "Graduate students at the moment must understand that they are preparing for their graduation exams and this discussion that is taking place and in my opinion must end, a decision must be made as soon as possible. "All he does is harm the seniors themselves." "We need to stop playing with the psychology of our students, especially seniors, and make a decision.", he added.
Mr. Hadjisavvas pointed out that especially for the Lyceum, and this should definitely be taken into account by the experts, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, that on January 14, ie next Friday, the students will attend the central exams.
"The high school students start with the lesson of Modern Greek and based on the laws that have been passed, the children of AD, BD, DG Lyceum will come to school only during the exams and then will return home. On the subject of high school, let the experts decide what needs to be done ", he added.
Asked if they would have a meeting with the Minister of Education, Mr. Hadjisavvas said that they had requested a meeting with the Minister of Education since last Monday to discuss various issues, including issues related to the pandemic.
"The exams will actually start on January 14 and will end on January 28. The Ministry of Education itself, especially for the students of the Lyceum in case the exams of the first four months will take place, will have to take all the provisions for all the students without exception, including those who may be cases or may be close contacts and make the appropriate preparations ", write down.
OLTEK: We are waiting for the suggestions of the Ministry of Education and Health
The General Secretary of OLTEK, Lenos Loizou, in his statements to KYPE, said that unfortunately, we are going through the worst period since the beginning of the pandemic.
"Like the rest of the world, our Cyprus is in the worst period", write down.
Answering a question, Mr. Loizou said that according to the circular sent by the Ministry of Education, students and teachers will return to schools on January 10.
"Unfortunately, the rapid increase in cases may bring about some changes. We are waiting for the decisions of the Minister of Health and the Minister of Education as soon as possible ", he mentioned.
Unfortunately, he noted, "This situation victimizes all students but especially seniors, who have perhaps the most difficult school year, which year will mark the later course of their lives."
He also mentioned that OLTEK is waiting for the suggestions of the Ministry of Education and Health.
As an organization, he added, "we will abide by all the protocols of the Ministries of Health and Education and in case it is decided not to open schools, the Ministry of Education to start the procedures for the preparation of the four-month exams", expressing the wish that "this pandemic end soon ".
Asked if they will have a meeting with the Minister of Education in the new year, Mr. Loizou said that they are expected to have a meeting next Monday with the Minister of Education, during which the four-month exams, various issues related to technical education, will be discussed. as well as pandemic issues.
"The agenda may change due to the decisions of the Minister", write down.
POED: It is important for schools to reopen with a physical presence
The President of POED Myria Vassiliou, in her statements to KYPE said that they are closely following the evolution of the pandemic and especially the large number of cases that concern everyone.
"It is important for the schools to reopen with the physical presence of children and teachers, but always in safe conditions and with full staffing of our schools. Besides, the POED has many times pointed out that the physical presence of children and teachers offers the maximum in terms of education and development of children in all areas: cognitive, social, emotional, etc. ", he added.
Ms. Vassiliou reminded that before the closing of the schools for the Christmas holidays, "There was understaffing of our school units, due to increased needs for replacements since a number of colleagues were absent justifiably", as he said.
"Therefore, the Ministry of Education should proceed with those actions so that there is no re-understaffing of schools, especially now that the need for replacements seems to be increased.", he said.
In addition, he added, "I reiterate and emphasize the opposition of POED to any differentiation of the measures concerning the date of reopening of the school units, after the Christmas holidays".
Ms. Vassiliou stated that the Primary, Kindergartens and Special Schools should reopen with a physical presence on the same day and to avoid any differentiation, which is both unnecessary and contradictory.
"I remind you that in at least two cases of separation (for example in May 2020 and January 2021), several issues arose that affected the smooth operation of the schools", concluded.