Cyprus Minister Athina Michaelidou outlines education reforms

Athina Michaelidou, the Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, has defended the government's educational policies, stating that reform is driven by political will and scientific research. The proposed changes focus on upgrading public education and improving learning outcomes through a systematic reform plan.

Key areas of focus include the teacher appointment system, evaluation and professional learning processes, detailed curricula, and teaching approaches. The Minister emphasized that the goal extends beyond improving performance in international assessments, such as PISA 2028, to achieving a substantive upgrade in the quality of learning and opportunities provided to every child.

Michaelidou acknowledged existing challenges within the educational system and noted that specific policies are being developed to address individual issues. She welcomed documented criticism that contributes to improvement but rejected superficial approaches, describing educational reform as a broader challenge facing Europe.