6.10 Current debates and reforms
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Forthcoming policy developments
Continuation of the National Youth Strategy 2017-2022
Τhe drafting of the new Strategy 2030 is expected to be finalised by the end of 2024. Since the previous Strategy 2017-2022 has been successfully completed, an evaluation process is being undertaken with the aim to identify possible areas of further improvement as well as challenges and targets which were not met. Based on the outcomes of the evaluation as well as the participatory approach among relevant stakeholders which will be followed, the new strategy will be designed to meet the current need and challenges of young people in the island.
New bill for inclusive education in Cyprus
The Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth is involved in a consultation process with its departments/directorates as well as other external bodies and representatives with the aim to upgrade the current legislative framework, procedures and practices of Special Education so as to become more inclusive and offer qualitative learning opportunities to all students in Cyprus. The initiative is funded by the European Union through the Structural Reform Support Programme. To progress on the reform, according to the Greek version of the 2021 Annual Report (p.10), a Scientific Medical Advisory Committee is appointed in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the Cyprus Medical Association (Παγκύπριος Ιατρικός Σύνδεσμος) and the Pediatric Society of Cyprus (Παιδιατρική Εταιρεία Κύπρου), with the aim to:
- examine the process of recruitment and allocation of special assistants (“σχολικοί βοηθοί”) at schools and to make relevant recommendations;
- examine and maybe redefine the duties, qualifications and recruitment process of special assistants based on the individual characteristics of the children with special needs who are included in Special Education;
- make recommendations on the composition of a Central Committee (a secondary body) for the examination of individual cases;
- examine and make recommendations on the procedure for referring children with special needs either to general schools or Special Units or Special Schools;
- examine and make recommendations regarding the specific needs of Special Schools.
Ongoing debates
The major current debates that are taking place in the public sphere regarding the above-mentioned topics concern the implementation of the National Youth Strategy 2017-2022 and its successor, the validation of non-formal learning, the development of youth work in Cyprus as well as the reform regarding the Special Education in Cyprus.
Other debates
The Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth currently undertakes the upgrade of the curricula of all school subjects/disciplines in all educational levels, from pre-primary to upper-secondary general and vocational education. The appointed Committees per school subject are assigned to revise the existing curricula, update the learning objectives according to the latest pedagogical methodologies and research data, and most importantly to incorporate the eight key competences of the Council of Europe’s Reference Framework (2018) which mainly focus on the development of literacy, multilingualism, numerical/mathematical competence, digital and technology-based competences, interpersonal skills, active citizenship, entrepreneurship and cultural awareness and expression.