Annual Report 2017 Ministry of Education and Culture ISSN 1450 040 X Γενική Εποπτεία: Αίγλη Παντελάκη Γενική Διευθύντρια Υπουργείου Παιδείας και Πολιτισμού Εποπτεία: Χρίστος Παρπούνας Συντονιστής Υπηρεσίας Ανάπτυξης Προγραμμάτων (Υ.Α.Π.) Επιμέλεια έκδοσης: Γιάννης Οικονομίδης Λειτουργός Γραφείου Τύπου – Γραφείο Υπουργού Μαρίνα Άστρα-Ιωάννου Λειτουργός Υ.Α.Π. Γλωσσική επιμέλεια: Ειρήνη Ροδοσθένους Επιθεωρήτρια Φιλολογικών Μαθημάτων Στέλλα Κόντη-Θεοχάρους τ. Πρώτη Λειτουργός Εκπαίδευσης - Αγγλικά Σχεδιασμός Εξωφύλλου: Έλενα Ηλιάδου Γραφίστας, Λειτουργός Υ.Α.Π. CONTENTS ANNUAL REPORT 2017 PART A: EDUCATION 1. Organisational Structure of the Ministry of Education and Culture 1.1 Primary Education 6 1.2 Secondary General Education 14 1.3 Secondary Technical and Vocational Education (STVE) 22 1.4 Higher and Tertiary Education 27 1.5 Cyprus Pedagogical Institute 38 1.6 Cyprus Research Centre 38 1.7 Technical Services Department 39 2. Innovations, Reforms and Structural changes in Education 2.1 Primary Education 40 2.2 Secondary General Education 63 2.3 Secondary Technical and Vocational Education 77 2.4 Pedagogical Institute and Tertiary 80 2.5 Higher and Tertiary Education 97 3. Participation in European Programmes 3.1 Εurydice Network 105 3.2 Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe 113 3.3 Higher and Tertiary Education 114 4. Other Activities 4.1 The Youth Parliament Programme – 22th Session, 2016-2017 116 4.2 Unesco Associated Schools Project Network in Cyprus 117 4.3 28th Pancyprian School Competition of Contemporary Plays & Ancient Drama 117 4.4 Other activities of Secondary Technical and Vocational Education 118 5. Other Services 5.1 European and International Affairs Office (EIAO) 119 5.2 The State Institutes for Further Education 120 5.3 Information and Communication Technologies Unit 121 5.4 The Educational Psychology Service (EPS) 127 5.5 School Clerks Administration Office 129 5.6 The Store House 129 5.7 The Competent Cyprus Geographical names Authority for Standardisation 130 5.8 Office of Civil Defence, Health and Safety 132 5.9 European Management Funding Unit 133 PART B: CULTURE 1. Cultural Services 1.1 Letters 138 1.2 Music 144 1.3 Visual Arts 148 1.4 Popular Culture / Cultural Heritage 151 1.5 Theatre 152 1.6 «Kypria 2017» International Festival 153 1.7 Dance 153 1.8 Cinema 155 1.9 Regional Cultural Development 158 1.10 “Europe for citizens” programme 158 1.11 Cultur Centres / Offices Abroad 158 1.12 Cultural cooperation agreements and programmes 159 1.13 “Cultural” sub-programme of the Eu “Creative Europe Programe” 160 1.14 European capital of culture 2017 160 1.15 Institutional participation in the council preparatory bodies on the topic of culture 160 1.16 Museums 161 1.17 Cyprus national commission for UNESCO 161 2. Cyprus Research Centre 2.1 Objectives and Means for Realizing them 164 2.2 Library and Archives 164 2.3 Publications 164 2.4 Activities for 2017 166 3. Cyprus Theatre Organisation 3.1 Activities of the Cyprus Theatre Organisation 167 3.2 Department of Theatre Development 171 PART C: SPORTS 1. Cyprus Sports Organisation (CSO) 1.1 Sports Sector 176 1.2 Technical Services and Inspection of the Private Gym Schools Sector 184 1.3 Department of CSO-Owned Sport Facilities Management & Maintenance Competences 187 1.4 The Financial Management Sector 188 1.5 International Sport Relations, Bilateral Agreements & Sport Partnership Memoranda 189 1.6 Sports Academy 193 1.7 Staff Issues 193 1.8 Cyprus Sport Medical Research Center (CSMRC) 193 1.9 Senior Counsel for Athletes’ Health (SCAH) 194 PART D: YOUTH BOARD The Cyprus Youth Board 200 Part A΄ Education 1. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND CULTURE 1.1 DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY EDUCATION Primary Education is the first stage of education laying the foundations for children’s cognitive, emotional and psychomotor development. For this reason, the Administration of the Department of Primary Education persists in the continuous improvement and upgrading of Primary Education. Furthermore, it aims at modernising teaching methods and approaches, designing and implementing modern developmental programmes, improving the support programmes applied in Special Needs Education and expanding, improving and constructing new school buildings. Overall, it aims at creating the infrastructure that will ensure high quality education. Primary Education works towards the continuous improvement and quality upgrading of education through systematic and responsible planning, with the cooperation of all stakeholders. During the school year 2016 - 2017, the offering of in-service training to teachers and the development of new teaching materials continued smoothly. Furthermore, the following actions were also pursued: Implementation of various educational programmes (Environmental Education, Health Education, Museum Education, Visual Arts, etc.) aiming to develop creativity in and out of the classroom and for pupils to find joy in learning. Provision of intensive and differentiated programmes for learning Greek as a second language for foreign or repatriated children to enable their smooth integration in the public educational system. All-Day Compulsory Schools, in 14 different Primary Schools and All-Day Optional Schools in 121 Primary Schools, in seven Special Schools as well as in 54 Pre-primary Schools. The various sectors of the Department of Primary Education include the: District Education Offices, which are responsible for the administration of Public, Community and Private Pre-primary Schools (Pre-primary Education), Public and Private Primary Schools (Primary Education) and Special Schools as well as the provision of individualised assistance to children with special needs who are attending Special Units in Primary and Pre-primary Schools (Education for Children with Special Needs), Cyprus Educational Mission in the U.K., Education of the Greeks of Diaspora, Educational and Summer Camps, and Adult Education Centres. Annual Report 2017 – Ministry of Education and Culture ǀ 6 ADMINISTRATION OF PRIMARY EDUCATION DISTRICT CYPRUS EDUCATION OF EDUCATIONAL ADULT EDUCATION EDUCATIONAL GREEKS OF AND SUMMER EDUCATION OFFICES MISSION IN DIASPORA CAMPS CENTRES THE UK PRE-PRIMARY PRIMARY EDUCATION FOR EDUCATION EDUCATION CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS 1.1.1 PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION Pre-primary Education is essential for the quality upgrading of Primary Education. This is a belief congruent with the European educational reality and the findings of scientific educational research. Cyprus, as a member of the Council of Europe and as a full member-state of the European Union, adopts programmes which are congruent with the guidelines of the EU policies and initiatives. Pre-primary Education allows for a methodical and supportive intervention in the areas of physical, social, emotional and cognitive development, as evidenced internationally by numerous research results. Respect of individual differences, differentiated child-centred approaches and learning processes as well as the continuous monitoring of children’s individual developmental rates contribute to the acquisition of life skills and positive character traits, socially-acceptable behaviours, and to the overall development of a person with generally accepted values and principles. It is also widely acknowledged that Pre-primary education contributes significantly to the preparation of children for Primary School and reduces school failure. Bearing these facts in mind, the Ministry of Education and Culture (MOEC) has over the last few years introduced a number of innovations to upgrade Pre-primary Education. One of the most important actions taken is the introduction of 8 8 compulsory Pre-primary Education for children aged 4 /12 - 5 /12 years old, which was established in September 2004. 8 Pre-primary Education includes the education of children aged 3 to 5 /12 years old attending public, community and private pre-primary schools. Pre-primary Education complements the family’s role, provides ample support for the development of the children, fulfils their basic needs and creates supportive and constructive learning experiences. Consequently, this enables children to become aware of their capabilities and overall potential and enhance their self-image. The Pre-primary Schools’ educational programme aims to retain many elements of family life and encourages creative activities through child-centred approaches in an environment which promotes cooperative learning, experimentation and group work. Emphasis is also placed on offering love, support, trust, acceptance, safety and respect of individuality. Annual Report 2017 – Ministry of Education and Culture ǀ 7 1.1.2 PRIMARY EDUCATION 8 8 Primary Education includes the education of children between the ages of 5 /12 to 11 /12 years old, who are attending public and private primary schools. The fundamental principle defining the objectives of Primary Education has always been the balanced development of the children’s personality. The Primary Education Curriculum and Syllabus are, therefore, based on three central pillars that function together to achieve this goal. In particular, the first pillar refers to the comprehensive set of knowledge and competences that pupils are expected to master in each school subject. The second pillar focuses on the values, attitudes and behaviours that pupils should develop as democratic citizens, while the third pillar is related to the development of qualities, skills and key competences required by and for the 21st century