Nicosia school tests all day programme

The Ayios Dhometios gymnasium in Nicosia on Monday announced that it will undertake a pilot programme of “optional” all-day lessons.

The programme was announced following a cabinet decision and will see 20 people in the first year of gymnasium participate.

The education ministry said the programme is “complementary to the morning programme”, and will make schools “more inclusive”, adding that the programme is “flexible” and “based on the needs and interests of the pupils who choose to attend, providing them with a safe learning environment”.

The afternoon programme will begin at 1.35pm and end at 4.35pm, with pupils set to be offered lunch and then a programme which will include guidance for completing their homework, as well as support in mathematics and Greek, and creative activities based on their interests, including sports, art and theatre.

The ministry said the programme is being implemented with the support of the European Union’s directorate-general for structural reform support (DG Reform) and the education sector of the Unesco.
The pilot phase of the programme will be evaluated by a Unesco working group as well as staff from the education ministry, in collaboration with pupils, parents and teachers.

The ministry said the programme “aligns with the EU’s priority to ensure quality and inclusive education for all, in particular with its renewed vision for the ‘European Educational Area’.”

The European Educational Area is an initiative which, according to the European Commission “helps EU member states work together to build more resilient and inclusive education and training systems”.
Among its stated aims are that by 2030, less than 15 per cent of 15-year-olds should be “low achievers in reading, mathematics, and science”, and the same proportion should be “low achievers in computer and information literacy”, with less than nine per cent leaving education and training early.

The European Commission had last year extolled the virtues of all-day schooling when it was rolled out at certain primary schools, saying, “the benefits of such reform for pupils, parents and teachers are many. All-day schooling keeps children safe, having a positive impact on their wellbeing and better preparing them for lifelong learning.”

“All-day schooling also fosters women’s access to the labour market by reducing parental responsibility of after-school care,” the commission added.