6.7 Skills for innovation
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Innovation in formal education
Since 2023, the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth (MESY), has been working to upgrade the curricula of all school subjects across all educational levels. Based on the MESY’s Strategic Plan 2025-2027 (Στρατηγικός Σχεδιασμός 2025-2027), this reform aims to promote and enhance the eight key competences outlined by the Council of Europe: Literacy competence; Multilingual competence; Mathematical competence and competence in science, technology, and engineering; Digital competence; Personal, social and learning to learn competence; Citizenship competence; Entrepreneurship competence, Cultural awareness and expression competence. The reform also focuses on enriching the curricula with digital skills and competencies while aligning them with the needs of the labour market. The MESY’s goal is to cultivate essential skills and competencies while fostering critical thinking and creativity across all subjects.
The Department of Educational Technology – priorities and programmes
In addition, the Department of Educational Technology (DET) (Τομέας Εκπαιδευτικής Τεχνολογίας) of the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, supports the educational community in utilising digital technologies for effective teaching, learning and assessment as well as in developing key transversal skills and digital competence for students, educators, and schools. The various actions of the DET focus on the priorities of the Digital Strategy for Cyprus 2020-2025 and are based on the principles set out in the European Commission Action Plan for digital Education (2021 - 2027) as well as the European digital competence frameworks, such as the DigComp 2.2, the DigCompEdu, and the DigCompOrg.
Every year, DET organises workshops, presentations and seminars in schools for pupils, teachers and parents, in various topics, such as:
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Use of digital technologies in teaching and learning
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STEM Education
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Media literacy
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Artificial intelligence Workshops on robotics and programming
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Safe internet use
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Transversal and digital skills for pupils and teachers
On the website of DET, schools, teachers and students can also find useful materials and programmes related to the above-mentioned topics (Ψηφιακά Ικανό Σχολείο, Ψηφιακά ικανός Εκπαιδευτικός και μαθητής).
Innovation in Secondary General Education
The curriculum of the school subject Design and Technology of Secondary General Education (Σχεδιασμός και Τεχνολογία Μέσης Γενικής Εκπαίδευσης) adheres to the principle that technology literate and competent pupils ought to possess a set of knowledge, skills and attitudes. The subject is taught at upper-secondary level and its curriculum was designed so that students acquire core skills of the 21st-century, such as problem solving, innovation, project management, creativity, critical thinking, etc.
The Design and Technology Advisors offer several seminars and conferences (Ημερίδες - Σεμινάρια – Συνέδρια) to in-service teachers and to potential teachers (Πρόγραμμα Επιμόρφωσης Υποψήφιων Καθηγητών Σχεδιασμού και Τεχνολογίας), they provide on-site support at schools and have developed relevant supportive teaching materials that can be found in the following links - secondary education supportive materials (Διδακτικό Υλικό & Υποστηρικτικό Υλικό) for all grades of lower- and upper-secondary education.
According to MESY’s 2023 Annual Report, since the 2021/2022 school year, the Interdisciplinary Learning Programme, with a focus on the Greek language, culture, and sciences—STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics)—has been piloted in two Secondary General Education schools, which operate as all-day schools (ολοήμερα σχολεία). In addition, the same Report states that a project funded by the European Union Recovery and Resilient Fund, is being implemented and managed by the European Funds Management Unit of the MESY. With a budget of more than €13 000 000, the project aims to support the digital transition of the education system. This measure entails the modernisation of educational structures through the development of e-classrooms and the equipping of classrooms with digital tools, the transformation of curricula and educational materials to strengthen digital skills and STEM methodology, as well as the alleviation of costs purchase of digital equipment (laptops / tablets) for pupils from low socio-economic backgrounds. It also includes the provision of digital skills and STEM methodology training to at least 675 teachers (including 300 primary, 300 secondary general education and 75 secondary vocational education teachers) annually for five years.
Innovation in Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training
In regard to Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training (STVET), during the school year 2022/2023, the MESY 2023 Annual Report (Ετήσια Έκθεση 2023) states that STVET schools established their own key objectives which include actions to foster innovation and green skills. More specifically, under the 4th objective “Focus on Digital Skills”, the following indicative actions were organised:
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Participation of students in nationwide and international research and innovation competitions.
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Programming and utilisation of CNC machines, robotic arms, drones, and other state-of-the-art equipment in lessons across various fields and specialisations, aiming to familiarise students with technologies applied in the labour market.
Respectively, under the 5th objective “Integration of topics related to green development and the circular economy”, several activities related to green development, the circular economy, and environmental protection within the framework of courses in various specialisations, have been organised. All fields of study and specialisations in STVET (Κλάδοι και Ειδικότητες – Μέση Τεχνική και Επαγγελματική Εκπαίδευση) aim to support learners’ creativity and innovation by acquiring skills, such as critical thinking, idea generation, entrepreneurial mindset and problem-solving. Such skills will be enhanced by practical training in industry.
As for the pedagogical tools and support that STVET teachers are provided with, the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute offers seminars, trainings and conferences (Προγράμματα – Σεμινάρια) to all secondary vocational education teachers, just like the general secondary education teachers. In addition, there is an educational portal (Εκπαιδευτική Πύλη) which supports educators in various educational issues, such as internet, web tools, etc.
Fostering innovation through non-formal and informal learning and youth work
The promotion of innovation is of major importance in the National Youth Strategy 2017-2022 of the Youth Board of Cyprus (YBC). Under the action field of Education and Training, two priorities are devoted to the development of innovation, creativity, and innovative methods of teaching for young people. In addition, the YBC has introduced over the last years a number of initiatives for boosting innovation and related skills to all young people in the island. The most important are:
Youth Makerspace Larnaca has been created following the standards of Makerspaces formed by university institutions and communities abroad, and it provides young people with access to high quality and high-tech equipment for the development of prototypes and for the implementation of their business ideas. This project is implemented in cooperation with Larnaca Municipality. It was introduced to public in October 2017 at the Arts and Literature House in Larnaca and since 2018, it is hosted in a renovated building which used to be the residence of the British Commander in the colonial era. In this place, young people can learn about technology developments, crafts, creative production processes, they can share knowledge and skills and put them in action. A vast range of creative production is supported. Among others, the equipment consists of 3D printers, laser cutters, drones, virtual reality, robotics, Arduino, raspberry pi. At Makerspace one may attend various workshops on how to use the equipment provided, idea and project development workshops, etc. This place also operates as a Youth Entrepreneurship Development Centre, within the framework of YBC programme. Youth Makerspace Larnaca welcomes young people of 6-35 years old, as well as organised youth groups, schools, educational institutions, etc.
In addition, Mobile Makerspace is a specially designed mobile unit which carries similar equipment with Youth Makerspace Larnaca. Mobile Makerspace is built on the same principles as Youth Makerspace Larnaca and has similar objectives. Yet, it focuses more on young people with fewer opportunities, who live in isolated or remote areas and do not have the chance to visit Youth Makerspace Larnaca. Mobile Makerspace visits schools and organisations in rural or distant areas and offers workshops using their technological equipment.
The 2024 budget for the Youth Makerspace is €170 000 based on the Cyprus Government Gazette (Ο περί Προϋπολογισμού του Οργανισμού Νεολαίας του 2024 Νόμος του 2024).
The SΤΕΑΜers (Πρόγραμμα «The SΤΕΑΜers»)
The SΤΕΑΜers programme is based on the standards of S.T.E.A.M. Centres abroad. The initials S.T.E.A.M. refer to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics. The programme offers workshops in Robotics, Programming, Film Making, Photography, Graphic Design, Creative Writing, Music, Theatre and Art. The aim of the workshops is entertainment and learning, cultivation of expressiveness and creativity, as well as psycho-emotional empowerment and personal development of the participants. Participants can experiment and become familiar with new projects, but also to increase their imagination, create, acquire skills, and cultivate their interests. The workshops target children and young people aged 6-35 years and are provided by professional trainers. The 2024 budget of the SΤΕΑΜers programme is €300 000, based on the Cyprus Government Gazette (Ο περί Προϋπολογισμού του Οργανισμού Νεολαίας του 2024 Νόμος του 2024).
The Youth Initiatives project grants activities organised by young people and youth organisations so that young people can have an active role in cultural, sport, political and social activities in Cyprus. (For more information, please also visit section 4.7. Under this project, there is a specific action (Action 7) targeting initiatives which foster innovation and creativity. The 2024 budget of the Youth Initiatives project is €450 000 based on the Cyprus Government Gazette (Ο περί Προϋπολογισμού του Οργανισμού Νεολαίας του 2024 Νόμος του 2024). No specific mention is made for the allocated budget of Action 7.
Career Academy (Όραμα – Δράση – Επιτυχία: Το 5ο Career Academy 2025 στην Πάφο)
The Career Academy is a unique opportunity for young people aged 16-35 to get inspired, gain practical knowledge, and explore the next steps in their professional journey. Each year, its theme and discussions are closely aligned with current trends, challenges, and the essential skills and competencies young people need to meet the demands of the labour market and 21st-century societies.