The approval by the Council of Ministers of a proposal for the modernization of the Educational and Educational Project Evaluation System was announced on Tuesday by the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Athina Michaelidou, describing the reform as "of fundamental importance" for the country.
He added that the implementation of the reform envisages the immediate start of training programs and the gradual elaboration of regulations over a five-year period, with the ultimate aim of placing the Cypriot education system on a path of development and substantial upgrading, so that it is in line with the modern education systems of the rest of Europe.
"It is with a sense of responsibility, but also with particular satisfaction, that I inform you that the proposal for the modernization of the Educational and Educational Project Evaluation System has been approved by the Council of Ministers today, a reform of fundamental importance for the country," said Ms. Michaelidou in her statements after the end of today's Council of Ministers session.
As he noted, this is a priority act within the governance program, an act of responsibility towards society and especially towards children.
"The decision, the result of many months of dialogue, discussions, and exchange of views with all stakeholders, especially educational organizations, is before us today and is making its way to Parliament. It is a one-way street for the transition to a modern school. We know that the issue of teacher evaluation is very relevant, it is directly interconnected with the improvement of learning outcomes, with the improvement of the quality of our educational system. Our proposal aims to replace the leveling and anachronistic system, which has been in place for 50 years, a system that is outdated, but mainly unfair to our children, but also to the teachers themselves," he continued.
He added that the Government and the Ministry of Education are proposing "a new, fair, flexible, modern, pedagogically documented system, with scientific bases, which is for the benefit of all students, teachers, but also society itself, a system that offers substantial feedback, enhances professional development, empowers teachers, ensures quality in teaching and learning with full respect for teachers."
"This reform is an act of responsibility and perspective, for which we as a Government have been working for months. It is the most important step towards the modern, human-centered, inclusive school that we all strive for. We must stand by our teachers, support them in practice and invest in their work. Only in this way will we ensure that our children have access to a quality, fair and adapted education to the demands of our time," he added.
According to the Minister, education is the most important reform for the future of the country and with this reform a brave and hopeful step forward is being taken. "What is primarily sought with the new evaluation system is the adoption of a system that is flexible, fair, simple, designed on the basis of scientific criteria, which has the ability to empower teachers but also to serve the needs of students. It is distinguished by its pedagogical character, for the inclusion of mechanisms that allow for the provision of constructive feedback," she pointed out on the subject.
He also reminded that a five-year transitional period is provided and during this period everyone and educational organizations are given the opportunity to participate from the very beginning in institutionalized committees that will evaluate and examine the entire implementation process.
He added that the implementation of the reform envisages the immediate start of training programs and the gradual elaboration of regulations over a five-year period, with the ultimate aim of placing the Cypriot education system on a path of development and substantial upgrading, so that it is in line with the modern education systems of the rest of Europe.
"We have no more time to waste, fifty years is too long, we don't need to waste it on discussions. After all, we have all seen the need for change. Now is the time to prove that we mean it and not waste it on excuses, pretexts, delays. So let's take a step forward, an important step, for discussion in Parliament," he noted, adding that the modernization of the evaluation system is also included in the Recovery and Resilience Plan, but mainly in the Government's goals and strategic plans for the modernization of the education system.
"We are moving forward, therefore, mainly for our children and our teachers who deserve to create in a modern environment, where their work will be recognized. Therefore, education is indeed changing," he concluded.
Asked whether there will be a possibility of removing teachers who should not be in the classrooms, Ms. Michaelidou said that a two-year period is foreseen, as was provided for in the older system, but on the basis of specific criteria and measurable data, for this evaluation to be carried out before the teacher is made permanent and in the few such cases, the opportunity to first be given support and then to leave.
When asked what makes her optimistic that the bill will be approved by Parliament given the reactions recorded throughout the previous period, the Minister bases her optimism on the belief that "the parties will also understand this need, the cry essentially of society, that we have no more time to waste on our educational system, that we must finally leave any excuses or obstacles behind and take a step forward, provided that we do not willfully proceed with the implementation of a system that does not allow for changes."
"As with all reforms, a transitional period is foreseen, during which, as I said, the implementation will be evaluated. Therefore, we see no reason why the parties should not rise to the occasion and behave differently here than in the previous fifty years. You know, society is changing, society is now demanding. We have one of the most expensive education systems in Europe, especially in the world. We can and are entitled to demand the best education system for our children, but also for our teachers. We are available to everyone for discussion and are also open in the event that minor amendments arise, as is always the case with all bills. We will listen, we will consult. What we have not allowed to change so far in the 9 months we have been discussing is the scientific basis and philosophy of the proposal, we will be particularly careful there," he concluded.
Source: KYPE
