Primary pupils were sent home early on Friday, as soaring temperatures reached a high of 45 degrees Celsius, and most public schools are not well equipped to handle the scorching heat. The Ministry of Education ordered all state schools to close early after a red alert was jointly issued by the Health Ministry, the Labour … Read more
The 1st Pancyprian Parkour Competition, “Renegade in Action,” has been rescheduled for Sunday, June 2 at 10:30 a.m. at Eleftheria Square in Nicosia. The competition is free and open to all who want to discover the world of parkour and cheer on the athletes.
The Ministry of Education is installing CCTV systems in certain secondary schools to address misconduct, sparking debate within the education community. The pilot initiative involves ten schools, with OELMEK expressing concerns about the selection criteria for the program. OELMEK argues that schools frequently targeted by delinquents should be prioritized over those classified as “high-risk” by the Ministry. The controversy led to OELMEK seeking clarification from the Deputy Director of Secondary Education and suggesting alternative language for the operation of the CCTV systems. Deputy Director Theofilou clarified that the initiative is in its pilot phase, with plans to expand to 50 schools in the future. This debate highlights differing perspectives on school security prioritization and the importance of transparency in decision-making processes.
The World Health Organisation’s HBSC study in Cyprus by the Ministry of Education focused on cyberbullying and traditional bullying among Cypriot students. The survey included responses from 4,818 students aged 11, 13, and 15. The study found that boys in Cyprus reported higher rates of bullying at school than girls, while no significant gender differences were found in rates of being bullied. Additionally, 15-year-olds and children from low socio-economic backgrounds in Cyprus were more prone to cyberbullying, with no significant gender differences in rates of being cyberbullied. Boys in Cyprus also reported higher rates of involvement in physical fights compared to girls.
Stefanos Stefanou, the General Secretary of AKEL, expressed disappointment that President Christodoulides has not responded to letters sent by the opposition. Stefanou sent a letter regarding a Ministry of Education circular on memorial events for the Turkish invasion, which omitted references to the preceding coup against Archbishop Makarios. He is still waiting for the President’s response and criticized the lack of communication from government ministers as well. Stefanou emphasized the importance of receiving a response, especially when serious issues are at hand.
Fact: A team from Neapolis University of Paphos in Cyprus secured a spot in the finals of the ICPC competition for the first time, competing against students from 3,000 universities across 111 countries.
Elementary schools in Cyprus have adopted 1,000 ships in almost two decades as part of an international awareness campaign initiated by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber.
Over the past three years, 420 secondary school students were referred for drug treatment programs.
The Cyprus Computer Society (CCS) and the CyberMouflons Cybersecurity Team are organizing the seventh Cyprus Cyber Security Challenge (CCSC) to be held online from May 1-12, 2024. The competition aims to form a national team to represent Cyprus in the European Cyber Security Challenge (ECSC). Participants must be aged 14-25 to be eligible for the national team. Top players in CCSC will receive training to compete in the ECSC in Torino, Italy from October 8-11, 2024. The competition is supported by various organizations and sponsors. Registration is open until May 12, 2024.
Sexual abuse in Cypriot schools has been on the rise, with three recent cases reported. One incident involved a female teacher being forced to resign due to abuse by students. Delays in response and gaps in management have been highlighted. The police are investigating cases of abuse, clarifying that any offense involving a minor victim is considered sexual abuse. The Minister of Education emphasized the need for immediate reporting and coordinated action among all stakeholders. A lawmaker has requested information on protocols for preventing and addressing deviant behavior in schools.