Education Committee Examines Issues at Schools in Kaimakli Due to Demographic Changes

A delegation from the Parliamentary Education Committee visited the 3rd Elementary School and the 3rd Kindergarten of Kaimakli, following requests from parents. The delegation included MPs Pavlos Mylonas (DIKO), Dimitris Dimitriou (DISY), Christos Christofidis (AKEL), and Chrysie Pantelides (DIKO), in the presence of the Mayor of Nicosia, Charalambos Prountzos.

Mr. Mylonas stated that there are serious problems due to the demographic alteration of the area. In the kindergarten, there are 6 Greek-Cypriot children and 170 children from third countries. In the elementary schools, over 50% of the students have a migration background.

Teachers are making great efforts for Greek language education and the smooth operation of the schools. However, there is a lack of communication with the parents of children with a migration background. Parents expressed a "cry of despair" and raised issues of transfers and dispersal of children to other schools. Many Arabic-speaking parents transfer their children to this particular school, where there is a large concentration of children from Arab countries.

A translator was requested for better communication with parents. Mr. Mylonas stressed that solving the problems is difficult due to the creation of a large community from a specific Arab country. Social actions outside the school are needed, as well as support for the Cypriot residents of the area.

Mr. Mylonas concluded that many efforts are being made, but solving the problems is not easy.