2025

Preliminary proposal of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY) for the evaluation of teachers and educational work

• 
  Teacher evaluation is an important pillar for the teacher improvement system. It is generally accepted that the current evaluation system has closed its cycle and It is urgent to establish a new, simple, modern and scientifically substantiated system, which will help teachers to highlight their work. The teacher evaluation is a key action of the governance programme and a milestone of our country's recovery and resilience plan, while as is well known, Cyprus now is the last country in the European Union where there is no modern evaluation system.
  Based on planning and upon completion of the consultation, the preliminary proposal of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY) for the evaluation of teachers and educational work was presented on February 7th, 2025, to all stakeholders, the educational service committee, educational organizations, inspectors' associations, organized parents and the Pancyprian coordinating committee of pupils.
  The proposal is the culmination of the literature review and research, the practice in European Union countries and stakeholder consultation operators, while it is a balanced effort to modernize the system evaluation of teachers and educational work in Cyprus.
  In particular, the proposal aims to improve its quality and results teaching, modernization based on research and modern pedagogies approaches, early intervention, improvement of continuous support for teachers, motivating teachers, consolidating meritocracy and
  enhancing transparency, as well as increasing the effectiveness of teaching, and learning.
  The main elements of the proposal are the following:
• The first evaluation of the teacher is carried out earlier than in the current system
• The rating scale is widened
• An appellate body for the examination of objections is established
• A "senior teacher" promotion position is introduced
• The role of the principal as a leader of the school unit is strengthened
• The teacher is evaluated by more than one evaluator
• The post-evaluation process is institutionalized
• Teachers are empowered at all stages of their careers through professional learning
• The evaluation is carried out based on scientific, transparent and simple criteria

Prevention and Handling of School Violence Law of 2020

Actions of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY) for the implementation of the provisions of the prevention and handling of school violence law of 2020
The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY) informs that as of August 1st 2024, date on which the prevention and combating school violence law of 2020, following the amendment by the plenary session of the House of Representatives (11/07/2024), has proceeded to the promotion of specific actions for the implementation of its provisions, either at Ministry level or at school unit level. 
More specifically, at the level of the ministry they have been established and have carried out sessions all committees provided for by law: the national advisory committee on school violence, the safe school coordinating committee (SSCC) and the safe school team (SST). All committees are composed of representatives of the competent directorates and services of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY). It is noted in addition that representatives of co-competent Ministries of Justice and Public Order and Health, of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, as well as two academics, are participating.
In the context of their meetings, the committees have developed their working framework, based on which it can be mentioned, in summary, that actions are in progress such as:
i. Development of a targeted strategic plan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on violence and delinquency
ii. Information and training of all stakeholders and partners of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (Ministry of Education executives, school principals, members of education committees health and prevention of school violence, educational organizations, confederations of parents of pre-primary, primary and secondary education (PPSE)
iii. Mapping of the policies/circulars/protocols of the Ministry of Environment, which follow schools on issues of violence and delinquency, with the aim of creating a guide to facilitate the work of schools
iv. Creation of an electronic tool for recording incidents of violence by schools, with the aim of recording and evaluating the phenomenon of school violence, as well as the formation of an overall picture of the incidents that occur in schools
v. Mapping and evaluation of programs offered by individuals, organizations and institutions to students on issues related to violence and delinquency.

Counselling and Vocational Education in Primary Schools – Pilot Implementation

On January 14, 2025, an information day was held on the pilot implementation of vocational education actions in the sixth grade of primary school.
The briefing was attended by inspectors and teachers of sixth grades of primary school and counselling and vocational education teachers at affected schools.
The planning, organization and implementation of actions is based on cooperation the directorates of primary and secondary general education and specifically with the counseling and vocational education service.
A strategic objective of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY) is the link of curricula to the labour market.
Therefore, from the school year 2024-2025, pilot actions are being introduced, based on a specific
developmental field, in the sixth grade of primary school. These actions will aim to initiate the required process on advisory issues and vocational education and will focus on general cultivation issues and development/maturation of personality/self as the main substrate for his/her development.
In addition, the actions will be a first awakening of a general reflection, sensitization, acquisition of skills/attitudes and preparation of students, as well as their parents/guardians, on issues related to the modern world of professions, as well as the labor market.
These specific actions will be implemented by teachers in primary school and the counselling and vocational teachers of the affected primary schools and gymnasiums, respectively and will be implemented in eight primary schools nationwide during the second semester of the current school year.
 

Pilot Implementation of the Optional All-Day School Program of Secondary Education

The Directorate of Secondary General Education of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY), following a decision of the Council of Ministers, has been provisioned in the pilot implementation of the optional all-day middle school program education (OADMS) at Agios Dometios High School, Nicosia during school year 2024 - 2025.
The program is implemented in cooperation with the Directorate-General for Support Structural Reforms (DG REFORM) of the European Commission, through the Technical Support Instrument and the Agency United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Affairs (UNESCO) – Education Sector. The project is aligned with the priority set by the European Union to ensure quality and inclusive education for all, with its renewed vision for European Education Area and Beyond program (2021-2030) and its establishment EU Council on "Pathways to School Success", which aim at improving educational outcomes and reducing prematurity dropping out of school.
The pilot phase of the project will be evaluated by the working group of UNESCO in cooperation with the working group of the Middle East Directorate Education of the Ministry of Education and with the involvement of students, parents and teachers.
 

School Self-Evaluation Network

• Within the framework of the policies of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY) for the self-evaluation of the school unit, the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute held on January 13, 2025 the first training meeting of the school unit's self-evaluation network.
  The training involved 165 teachers, members of the management team, managers and inspectors from all levels of education (primary, secondary general and secondary technical and vocational education and training).
  The participants had the opportunity to initially attend the theoretical framework concerning the self-evaluation of the school unit, with emphasis on the Cypriot context. The participants then worked in groups to solve a case study and develop an action plan. 
  Five more two-hour online meetings with the participants of the self-assessment network are planned in the coming months, focusing on the following topics:
• Development of a single improvement plan
• Communication skills
• Change management
• Effective teaching
• Mutual monitoring of teaching The role of leadership in school self-evaluation
   

2024

Design and implementation of inclusive education legislation

• In relation to the meeting of the House Standing Committee on Education and Culture on November 13, 2024, on the issue of special/inclusive education, the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY) clarifies that the re-evaluation of the institution of special education and the design and implementation of inclusive education legislation are a priority of the government, as recorded in the governance program. The goal is a modern, democratic school that can offer quality, inclusive education to all children.
  Already, based on the initial planning, the Ministry of Environment has implemented actions such as the offer targeted το teacher training programs, the reinforcement of teachers with digital material for differentiation of teaching, and the increase in the number of special teachers. Additional actions include the expansion/improvement of school infrastructure, the increase in the number of school assistants/escorts, the provision of a school assistant/escort in summer and optional all-day schools, the pilot implementation of the summer school in special schools, etc.
  The increase in the number of students with disabilities and other additional needs is an issue of great concern to the Ministry of Education. To better manage the challenges arising from this increase, but also in the context of policies providing equal educational opportunities for all children, on the road to a modern inclusive school, the Ministry of Education has proceeded, among others, to:
• Increase of general grant for special education by 14% in 2024 compared to 2023.
• Increase of funds for the purchase of special education educational equipment by 33% during the same period.
• Increase the budgets of special schools by 12%.
• Increase of special education teaching staff by 12%.
• Increase in school assistants/escorts by 21%.
• Staffing of all special schools with an educational psychologist.

Network of Schools for the Support of the Love of Reading in Preschool and Primary Education 

• The Cyprus Pedagogical Institute (CPI) designed, organized and operated the network of schools to support the love of reading in pre-school and primary education.
  As part of the project, the network's teachers participated in meetings with an informative and educational character, which focused on the love of reading, children's literature and didactics.
  The activities of the network contributed to the creation of spaces and culture of love of reading in the participating schools, to the strengthening of cooperation between teachers, schools and other organizations, to the development of teaching material, as well as to the design, implementation and exchange of good practices.
  During their participation in the network, teachers are invited to:
   
• Participate in educational activities on topics such as children's literature, literacy, the culture of love of reading, the love of reading in relation to technology, school libraries, etc.
• Draw up plans for the love of reading actions
• Develop individual actions of love of reading
• Offer the action plans and the individual actions of love of reading for posting on the website of the network  https://www.pi.ac.cy/pi/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3569&Itemid=517&lang=el       
• Present programs, actions and strategies for the love of reading in meetings of the network and relevant conferences or workshops
• Collaborate with other teachers of the network, schools, organizations and individuals on topics and programs of love of reading.
   

Participation in programs for the exploitation of digital technologies in teaching and learning

The Cyprus Pedagogical Institute (Department of Educational Technology – TET https://tet.pi.ac.cy/) offers for the school year 2024-2025 several programs for the integration of digital technologies in the learning process, supporting the efforts of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY) and schools to achieve this goal.
The programs contribute to the implementation of the strategic goal of the Ministry of Education for the digital transition of the educational system and the development of digitally competent schools, teachers and students. The programs can be included in the Unified School Improvement Plan and in the implementation of the single policy for professional learning.
The programs which are offered for the school year 2024-2025 are the following:

• Safe school for the Internet
• Innovative schools and educational nuclei
• Recording memory - documentary production by students
• Student Internet radio
• Digital pioneers 
   

"Student Enterprise" program of the non-profit organization Junior Achievement Cyprus 

The non-profit organization Junior Achievement Cyprus in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY) announces the launch of the "student enterprise" program and the realization of the first face-to-face training for teachers of secondary general and secondary technical and vocational education for the school year 2024-2025. 

National Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Violence at School and Action Plan, 2024 – 2028

The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY) launched a public consultation on the plan "national strategy for the prevention and management of violence at school and action plan, 2024 – 2028". All interested parties/individuals were invited to submit their comments/suggestions or their intention to contribute as partners/participants, specific actions/activities, by August 8, 2024, using the e-consultation platform.
The plan was prepared by the Ministry of Environment and its purpose is to implement actions for: preventing and tackling the phenomenon of school violence and delinquency through the creation of a safe school climate, which actively promotes a culture of inclusion and cultivation of social skills. The adoption of the holistic approach will ensure the empowerment and active participation of all stakeholders in preventing and dealing with incidents of violence in schools.

e-Management System on Educational Management

The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY) has announced that it has successfully completed the pilot phase of the for the e-management system on educational management for the electronic registration of A' Lyceum (the pilot phase was implemented in three schools). During the next phase of the implementation of the system, and in collaboration with the deputy ministry of research, innovation and digital policy, a gradual expansion/implementation of online registrations and other administrative functions, at all levels of education and in all classes of public schools, is expected to take place.
At this stage and before the parents/guardians will be able to access the system and use all its functions (electronic registrations, electronic payments, absences, grades, tests, need for support, special education facilities, etc.), they should first register on the government portal CY Login.
 

New actions and innovations, on the road to a modern, democratic and inclusive school

In the beginning of the new school year, the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (ΜΕΣΥ) emphatically pointed out that the year began in conditions of normality, amid dozens of innovations, reforms and new actions, which gradually lead to modern, human-centered, democratic and inclusive school. 
The actions and innovations concern:

• The restructuring of curricula and the reduction of unnecessary material  
• Improving teaching and learning conditions
• The further autonomy of school units
• The modernization and expansion of the all-day school
• The transition from special to inclusive education
  The introduction of intervention programs for its prevention and treatment of violence/delinquency and illiteracy
• The introduction of additional life education programs
• The upgrading of technical and vocational education and training
• The transition to digital school
• The further empowering teachers
• The further cultivation and promotion of the Greek language
• The further strengthening and expansion of pre-primary education

• In the installation of air conditioners based on integrated design.

  The above indicative actions/reforms, in combination with all the policies and changes promoted for the first time in a documented, targeted and based on pedagogical criteria in the educational system, have already brought new impetus and significant progress to the education of the country. The government's emphasis on education is demonstrated in practice through the increased, highly targeted investments and reforms already being carried out.

Transition from special to inclusive education and modern inclusive school

In the context of the stated decision of the Government and the policies implemented for transition to inclusive education and inclusive school, the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY), announced on August 21, 2024, the continuation, during the new school year, of targeted training of inspectors, education executives, teachers, liaison officers, school escorts/assistants and parents on issues of special/inclusive education.
During September 2024, training seminars were held for all school assistants/escorts of primary and secondary education, in all provinces. Workshops on autism issues were also held in three districts (Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca). The workshops concerned all levels of education and were addressed to inspectors, liaison officers, teachers, special educators, assistant principals responsible for special education programs and parents.
A seminar was also held for the liaison officers of primary and secondary education.
Throughout the school year, workshops and seminars will be held to diversify teaching and learning and adapt it to children's particularities. The utilization of the educational material that has been posted and continues to be elaborated, is an important tool in the hands of teachers.

Significant amendments to school regulations

1. The Greek Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth (MESY) announced on June 19, 2024, that the Cabinet has approved significant changes to the operating regulations of secondary education schools. These changes encompass three main areas:
   Mobile Phone Usage: There is now a ban on the activation and use of mobile phones throughout the school day in gymnasiums, lyceums, and technical schools. This includes both class time and break periods, marking a substantial shift from previous policies. However, the use of smart devices such as tablets and computers for educational purposes during lessons is not only allowed but required, emphasizing the pedagogical value of technology in the classroom.
2. Electronic Student Registration: In collaboration with the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and digital policy, a new system has been introduced allowing parents to register their children for school electronically. This initiative aims to simplify the enrollment process and eliminate the need for parents to physically visit the school at the end of the academic year, which has been a source of inconvenience for many. The minister noted that the pilot implementation of this system has already yielded positive results.
3. Remembrance and honor day: The establishment of a day to remember and honor the victims of the genocides of Armenians, Pontian Greeks, and Assyrians has been institutionalized, reflecting a commitment to historical memory and education.
   The Minister concluded by stating that these changes are expected to be discussed further in Parliament, indicating ongoing dialogue and potential refinement of the policies. The overall aim of these reforms is to enhance the educational environment, streamline administrative processes, and foster a culture of remembrance and respect within the educational system.

EGI-STEM (Empowering girls in STEM)

A project Conference was held from February 27 to 29, 2024, in Nitra, Slovakia, which marked the culmination of the EGI-STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) program, coordinated by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY) with the participation of Cyprus and Slovakia. Its aim was to showcase the educational materials and activities developed under the program to encourage the inclusion of girls in STEM and to provide professional development for educators in STEM subjects.
During the conference, the program manager delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of strengthening STEM programs for the 21st century and addressing the need to challenge stereotypes and promote female role models in the field. This was followed by presentations covering theoretical background, research outcomes, and developed lesson plans. Interactive teaching demonstrations from the program were also conducted, allowing participants to exchange views on the topics presented.

Adoption of the new operating regulations for public primary schools

 The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth of Cyprus has celebrated the adoption of the new operating regulations for public primary schools by the House of Representatives on April 25, 2024. This marks a significant milestone in addressing a longstanding issue that has been under review since 2016. The new regulations aim to enhance the daily school experience and learning outcomes, as well as to improve the overall quality and effectiveness of the educational system.

Key features of the new regulations include:

1. The establishment of a management team to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of directors, assistant directors, the management team, and teachers.
2. The introduction of electronic registration and confirmation of student enrollment to streamline the enrollment and transfer processes.
3. Each school unit is required to prepare an action plan to address delinquent behavior, with the goal of improving policies against bullying, delinquency, and violence in schools.
4. The implementation of the unified and optional full-day school and summer school.
5. Pedagogical measures are outlined to foster social behavior development.
6. Measures are taken to ensure consistent school attendance by students.
7. Protection of students' personal data is guaranteed.
8. Student evaluations are institutionalized to enhance learning outcomes.
9. The regulations also emphasize the importance of student participation in decision-making processes, including the development of a special code of conduct and decisions on matters such as school attire, excursions, and theatrical performances.
10. The establishment of a responsible educator for each class and a student council to promote a democratic spirit and cooperation in schools.
     

Policy for the smooth transition from primary to high school

Regarding the smooth transition from primary to secondary school, the Educational Psychology Service (EPS), in collaboration with all interested parties, is planning training workshops on a nationwide basis, within the framework of the policy for the smooth transition from primary to secondary school. The training workshops, which will focus on the analysis of practices to support students for their transition and adaptation to gymnasium, concern principals and teachers who oversee sixth grade classes of primary schools.
The transition from primary to secondary school is a significant change in the lives of children and their families, because at the same time it marks the transition from childhood to adolescence. In addition to the objective, cognitive/educational needs they will be called upon to face, children are also called upon to manage the developmental, emotional, and social changes that the transition entails.
To adopt good practices for psycho-emotional empowerment of students during their transition from primary to secondary school, each principal is invited to participate in the workshop together with at least one sixth grade teacher from his school. Each principal and the teacher participating in the workshop will act as nuclei afterwards, aiming to transfer knowledge and good practices to other sixth grade teachers of their school.
 

The road to inclusive school and the goal of improving learning outcomes

The Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth (MESY) in Cyprus has highlighted, at the beginning of the year 2024, the efforts towards inclusive education and improving learning outcomes. The ministry's main goal is to create democratic and critical-thinking citizens through an educational system that nurtures each child's talents and abilities. In the past 10 months, the ministry has achieved several milestones, focusing on pedagogical criteria and innovative educational practices. Key highlights include:

• Emphasis on creating democratic and critical-thinking citizens through an inclusive educational system
• Finalizing the assessment system for secondary education with a focus on formative and pedagogical evaluation
• Abolishing the marketization of support programs, providing employment opportunities for those in need
• Implementation of programs for prevention and early intervention in preschool education
• Modernization of assessment systems and improvement of learning outcomes
• Expansion and enhancement of all-day schools and vocational education
• Upgrading school infrastructure and accelerating digital transformation
  Involvement of all stakeholders in dialogue and collaboration for the advancement of education

The ministry is committed to open dialogue and collaboration with all stakeholders, including students, parents, educators, and interested parties, to achieve its goals.

Respect for diversity: Transition to modern and inclusive school

On March 4, 2024, the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth (MESY), has published an article on the transition to modern, inclusive schooling, through concrete actions and policies that foster respect and diversity.
Reference is made on the right of the students to enroll and receive free education in public schools in Cyprus, at all levels, from pre-school to tertiary education. It is stated that the education system makes no distinction as to race, community, language, color, religion, students' political or other beliefs, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin, which are guaranteed by Article 20 of the Constitution of Cyprus. The school also respects the right to freedom of thought, political or other beliefs and religion.
Details are provided on the policies and actions on the following:

• Anti-racist policy
• Human rights – health education
• Gender equality
• Special education reform
• Policy for students with immigrant biography
• Program Imagine
• Sex education

Phase B of the PEDIA Project - Creation of green and nearly zero energy schools

The Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth (MESY) presented in April 2023, the second phase of the PEDIA project, which has been funded by the European Commission, under the Horizon 2020 program. The PEDIA project is an innovation project, which seeks to promote energy efficiency and develop innovative approaches in schools, of particular importance for Cyprus, as it is the first time that on such an expanded scale attempts are made to transform school buildings into green and sustainable ones.
This project is the first of its kind funded by the European Union with the main objective of creating a methodological tool, the application of which can capture the real energy upgrade needs of each school building in Cyprus. This tool was funded by the EU with the amount of 500 thousand euros, while 8 million euros have been secured for school upgrades by the public and private sector.
The importance of the program is realized by the very interest shown by schools in receiving energy upgrades. Specifically, 162 schools of all educational levels applied to be evaluated by the program, of which 144 were eligible. In the first phase of school evaluation, 55 schools were selected and evaluated on-site and in depth, as the second phase of the program, through which the first 25 schools that will receive a total energy upgrade were selected.

Actions to tackle more effectively violence and delinquency in schools

The ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth (MESY) convened meetings with all stakeholders in recent months to systematically prevent and tackle violence and delinquency in schools, an issue that has plagued society at large, over time.
To reduce incidents of violence and delinquency in school settings, specific measures have already been taken and are being implemented within schools, although it is commonly accepted that this serious issue is multifactorial and concerns many other stakeholders (parents-family, police, support services, community, etc.).
Specifically, a series of measures have been institutionalized through a Decision of the Council of Ministers and are being implemented as of this year, which, based on research data, are effective. Among many others, the following were institutionalized:
1. Strengthening the management team and teachers (strengthening the institution of the head of department, setting up committees on violence and delinquency, training teachers and explaining their role in crisis management issues at school, etc.).
2. Simplification of crisis management procedures, simplification and strengthening of cooperation protocols between schools with the Immediate Intervention Team and the Educational Psychology Service.
3. Implementation of a protocol for reporting incidents of violence and delinquency on an electronic platform of the Observatory for Violence in schools of the Pedagogical Institute.
4. Introduction of preventive programs at younger ages (preschool).
5. Implementation of programs for the development of a culture of acceptance of diversity.
At a meeting, convened by the Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth (MESY) in December 2023, with the participation of all stakeholders, specific measures of immediate implementation were decided.
 

2023

Regulations of 2023 for the operation of public secondary schools (Amendment No. 2)

The Amending (No. 2) Regulations on the operation of public secondary schools that have been passed for 2023 bring about the following changes:
(a) The uniform written assessment at the end of each quarter is abolished and the uniform final examination is introduced after the end of the courses, at the end of May.
(b) For courses that are not examined in writing after the end of the course, the grade of the year will be the average of the grades of the two (2) quarters, while for courses that are examined in writing after the end of the course, the grade of year will be the sum of the grades of the two (2) quarters, at a rate of 35% for each quarter, and the grade of the single final written examination, at a rate of 30%.
(c) The grade of each quarter will result from the concurrent and written evaluation. It will concern the performance that characterizes the student's attendance during the quarter, which is evaluated on the basis of exams, written assignments - projects and other forms of evaluation, which will be carried out in the context of the intended learning outcomes, in accordance with the instructions of the Competent Authority, and will not include the grade of the written promotional exams. For this purpose, the provisions of Regulations 15A and 15B (amending No. 2 Regulations of 2020), which relate to the existing student assessment process, will cease to apply.
(d) The number of subjects examined in grades A' and B' of high school is reduced from four to two subjects, which will be Modern Greek and Mathematics.
(e) The final examination for all secondary education classes will continue to be prepared centrally, with reinforcement of existing procedures, so as to ensure their reliability.
The above improvement changes aim both at increasing the teaching time and at strengthening the existing procedures, with the ultimate goal of forming and introducing an integrated, modern and reliable assessment system for students in secondary education, based on pedagogical criteria.
 

Abolition of the service purchase regime in the DRASE+ (Social and School Integration Actions) and Optional Full-Day School programs of Primary Education

The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth is proceeding with the abolition of the service purchase regime in its educational programs.
On June 15, 2023, the Council of Ministers approved the Proposal of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (YPAN) for the gradual abolition of the service purchase regime in its programs and for the staffing of the programs for the school year 2023-2024.
Based on the decision, the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth is proceeding with the abolition of the service purchase regime in its educational programs, starting next September.
In this context, from September 2023, the DRASE+ Primary Education and Optional All-Day Primary Education programs will be staffed in the majority with teachers from the lists of appointees of the Education Service Commission. In all other educational programs, salaried employment contracts will be offered for the 2023-2024 school year. At the same time, consultations continue for each individual program, in order to achieve the pedagogical restructuring of the programs and also to ensure the best working conditions for the people employed in the programs of the Ministry of Education.
Every possible effort is being made so that this important action to modernize the educational system affects the smallest possible number of people who have been employed in these programs in recent years.

The modernization of syllabi 

The Minister of Education in an interview on June 26,2023, stated that several actions and policies have been promoted in the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth during the last 3 months.
One of them, concerns the evaluation of the students in secondary education.
A temporary solution which was proposed, passed by the Parliament and adopted, and refers to the current school year, is the central evaluation of the second quarter, with the aim of not harming the children. The new, modern evaluation system which has been proposed since May 2023, gives emphasis on the continuous evaluation of students. A student-centered system that focuses on authentic assessment and learning, and is limited to a central examination at the end of the school year.
Another major decision concerns the resolution of the chronic issue of the status of purchase of services in several educational programs of the Ministry. Due to the decision of the Council of Ministers on June 15, from September 2023, the DRASE+ (School and Social Integration Actions) Primary Education and optional All-Day Primary Education programs will be staffed in their majority with teachers from the lists of appointees of the Education Service Commission. Therefore, there will be a continuity in the schools implementing the DRA.SE program. and All-Day, and this gives the Ministry, the opportunity to check, evaluate and improve these structures.
Another policy that was promoted relates to the institution of All-Day schools, which, again by decision of the Ministry of Education, is extended to both Primary and Secondary Education. The decision 
includes the expansion, improvement and reconstruction of the institution, a topic on which a dialogue will begin in the next period.
The Minister of Education also stated that in the last 3 months, a decision was made to expand and upgrade MIEK (Post-secondary Vocational Education and Training Institutes), which offer high-quality education and training programs in developing sectors, providing citizens with the opportunity to acquire, improve or upgrade their professional qualifications and skills.
In the end, the Minister stated that through the policies that have already begun to be implemented, the foundations have been laid for the great bet of the educational system, the modernization of the syllabi, i.e., the rationalization of the curriculum, the updating, limiting it to the necessary, to the core knowledge, aiming at a modern, new educational system, which promotes the abilities, skills and knowledge of each child.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth promotes new regulations for the evaluation of students in the secondary education

In a meeting of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth and all stakeholders on May 22, 2023, the new assessment framework for students in the secondary education was discussed.
During the meeting, the Minister of Education initially reviewed the present situation and the challenges presented in the issues of student evaluation in the secondary education, while she then presented the basic aspects and provisions of the proposed new evaluation system. The basic philosophy of the evaluation will be its formative and pedagogical character.
With the new assessment plan, emphasis is placed on the multiple forms of concurrent assessment, the increase in teaching time, the continuous professional development of teachers and the limitation of the subjects examined in the 1st class of Gymnasium Grade 7), for the purposes of a smooth transition from Primary school to the Gymnasium, while at the same time the final written exam in January is abolished in all classes.
The school year is still divided, for matters of organization and teaching, into two four-month periods, while students will sit for a written final exam, which will be prepared centrally, at the end of the second four-month period.
 

Four-month examination of secondary general and technical and vocational students education and training 

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth (ECSY) has announced on March 2, 2023 that it is proceeding with the complete restructuring of the student evaluation system in Secondary General and Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training, in consultation with all partners.
In this context and with the aim of providing pedagogical support to all students of middle schools, high schools and technical Schools, the Ministry of Education is proceeding with improvement measures regarding the examination of the second quarter of the current school year.
Specifically, the Ministry of the Interior will propose reducing the weight of the written exam of the second quarter of the 2022-23 school year from 40% to 20%, with legislative regulation, as well as reducing the examined material to 60% of the taught material. In addition, a monitoring mechanism has already been put in place to supervise the marking and control of the degree of difficulty of the examination essays, in order to avoid additional stress and burden on the students in their academic progress. Instructions were also given for proper use of the teaching time.