THE CYPRUS EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

Transcription

1 THE CYPRUS EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM Presentation by Rodoula Theodorou Inspector General in Primary Education Ministry of Education and Culture 1 17 October 2011

2 Context of the presentation Brief historical account Basic principles of educational system General education aim Responsibilities and structure of the ministry Responsibilities of general and special courses inspectors, pre-inspectors and inspector of special education Educational reform and innovations (introduced and prospective) 2

3 HISTORICAL MOMENTS 1960: The establishment of the Republic of Cyprus 1960: Free primary education 1964: Inter-communal problems 1972: Free secondary education 1974: Turkish invasion 1992: University of Cyprus 2004: Accession to the EU 3

4 BASIC PRINCIPLES Education: must be a part of the wider socio-economic, cultural background and idiosyncratic characteristics of Cyprus should have an educational planning system and a democratic structure of educational administration should be a strong link and mutual influence between education and life experience 4

5 GENERAL EDUCATION AIM Development of free and democratic citizens: with fully developed personality mentally and morally refined healthy, active and creative Who contribute to: the social, scientific, economic and cultural progress the promotion of cooperation, mutual understanding, respect and love the dominance of freedom, justice and peace 5

6 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MINISTRY Administration of education Enforcement of educational laws Preparation of educational bills Prescription of syllabi, curricula and textbooks Regulation and supervision of educational institutions Construction of school buildings Maintenance and equipment: shared responsibility with local School Boards Public education is financed by the Government 6

7 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE Centralised educational administration Highest authority of the Ministry of Education and Culture: the Minister followed by the Permanent Secretary Education is offered into four main stages Other departments and services help the overall functioning of the system In 2009, expenditure in education amounted to 7,8% of the GDP 7

8 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND CULTURE MINISTER PERMANENT SECRETARY ADMINISTRATION PLANNING EU & INTER- REGISTRY ACCOUNTS NATIONAL OFFICE AFFAIRS PRIMARY EDUCATION SECONDARY EDUCATION TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION PEDAGOGICAL INSTITUTE CENTRE OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND EVALUATION CULTURAL SERVICES TECHNICAL SERVICES OTHER SERVICES AND UNITS COUNSELING AND CAREER EDUCATION SERVICE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT UNIT 8 EDUCATIONAL PSYCOLOGY SERVICE SCHOOL CLERKS UNIT CYPRUS RESEARCH CENTRE

9 DIRECTOR OF PRIMARY EDUCATION Chief Education (PLE) Inspector General of Primary Education GEDE Chief Education (PLE) General Inspectors Special inspectors courses Inspectors for preprimary schools Inspectors for special education Primary schools Pre- primary schools Special schools 9

10 PRIMARY EDUCATION Primary education lays the foundation for the harmonious development of children Six-year free and compulsory Teacher salaries paid by the Government Annual grants to School Boards Schools in every town and village with 15+ pupils Class size: 25 pupils maximum 10

11 PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION Its importance is recognised by the Government Since 2004, it is compulsory and free for one year prior to attending the primary school Three types of pre-primary institutions: public, community and private 11

12 SOME NUMERICAL DATA Type (school year ) Number of schools Number of students Number of teachers Teacher / pupil ratio Number of inspectors Public nursery schools Public primary schools Gymnasium (lower secondary) Unified Lyceums (comprehensive) Technical Vocational Schools : : (38+5) : :1 12

13 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL COURSE OF EDUCATION Undertake inspection of primary schools and the inspection and guidance of teaching staff. Collaborates with managers to address administrative and educational issues in schools, and the Inspectors Special Courses on topics of their expertise. Actively involved in organizing and conducting conferences, seminars and training courses for teachers of Primary Education. Undertakes administrative or other specific tasks, e.g. coordination, planning, program development, educational studies, surveys 13

14 SPECIAL INSPECTOR COURSES PRE-INSPECTOR AND INSPECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION Undertakes the inspection and guidance of teachers in primary schools on the expertise and cooperate with the Director and the relevant inspector for particular aspects of school. Actively involved in organizing and conducting educational conferences and training courses for teachers. Undertakes administrative or other specific tasks, e.g. coordination, planning, program development, educational studies, surveys, tests etc. 14

15 EVALUATION OF TEACHERS Every six months for their two first years of work, or until they become permanent Every two years until their 11 th year of work On their 12 th and 13 th year of work Every two years until their 25 th year of work Every tree years after their 25 th years of work. 15

16 EDUCATIONAL REFORM The Government of the Republic of Cyprus has launched an ambitious educational reform programme in 2005 The aim is to turn into reality the vision of a better educational system that would meet pupils future needs and society's challenges in the 21 st century The participation of all stakeholders in the dialogue is an innovative feature which aims at building consensus to the highest possible degree and the continuity of educational policy 16

17 EDUCATIONAL REFORM (2) This will be done by: Improving the equity of the educational system, encouraging lifelong learning throughout the stages of the educational system Reinforcing the content of education and training and upgrading the infrastructure with an emphasis on the cultivation of lifelong learning competences from the early years of compulsory education Implementing a number of EU policies 17

18 INNOVATIONS INTRODUCED Introduction of new curricula from preprimary to upper secondary education Induction programme for newly appointed teachers (primary and secondary schools) Establishment of optional and unified all-day schools Restructuring of the Ministry of Education and Culture 18

19 INNOVATIONS INTRODUCED (2) Establishment of the Centre of Educational Research and Evaluation Reduction to the number of pupils per class Measures for dealing with student delinquency Policy for multicultural education Proposition for a new scheme for school and teacher evaluation Establishment of new universities new system for university entrance examinations 19

20 PROSPECTIVE INNOVATIONS Quality and flexibility of the system Combat low achievement and early school leaving Life long learning Promotion and further develop of higher education Promotion of educational research and evaluation 20

21 WE SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE IN MIND THAT If you plan for one year, plant rice If you plan for ten years, plant trees If you plan for centuries, educate people 21

22 Rodoula Thank you for your attention! 22