CELEBRATIONS commemorating the Pancyprian Gymnasium’s 200th anniversary took place yesterday morning on site in the presence of President Demetris Christofias, the Archbishop of Cyprus, the Mayor of Nicosia and the head of the teachers’ union OELMEK, among other dignitaries.
All had high words of praise for the school which was established in 1812 by Archbishop Kyprianos as the first lower secondary school in Cyprus.
The educational institution’s current incarnation stands opposite the Archbishopric in Nicosia. It had to be rebuilt after a fire destroyed it in 1920.
The school itself boasts a vast collection of rare historical and archaeological items, as well as an extensive library.
“The Pancyprian Gymnasium is an important Cyprus institution with specific historical significance. Founded in 1812 by national martyr Archbishop of Cyprus, it is Cyprus’ oldest middle education school and indeed the oldest from all of its educational institutions,” Christofias said.
Archbishop Chrysostomos said the school had always safeguarded traditions and the Christian faith.
Nicosia Mayor Constantinos Yorkadjis said the school always carried the torch of Greek education (it was called the “Greek School” until 1896) and educated numerous future Archbishops, presidents of the Republic, and fighters against British rule and fighters against Turkish invaders in 1974.
“It is the responsibility of all of us to support this historic school, to study and find ways to ensure its survival, not just in terms of the building but as it were a huge museum of old Nicosia’s educational history,” Yorkadjis said.
In light of pending plans to upgrade the school building, which are opposed by the student body, President Demetris Christofias said that the school’s structure needed to be further enhanced in way which respected its character.
Christofias added that in addition to upgrading the institution’s facilities, the Education Ministry was considering taking steps to allow the enrolment of students from other cities or other parts of Nicosia.
The President also said the Ministry was mulling the expansion of the school to accommodate the final three years of secondary education.
Christofias said new school curricula would gradually be introduced in September, with the intention to create a system that is “accepting of difference, respectful of particularities and preferences”.
In 2008, the then newly-elected President had pledged to reform the Republic’s educational system.
This created heated discussion and a 2009 committee even had to prepare two separate proposals as no unanimity on educational reform could be reached.
“With common agreement, effective and particular solutions can be found upon which we can all agree on,” Christofias said.
OELMEK head Demetris Taliadoros said the union expected an invitation from the Education Minister to discuss educational reform and the Pancyprian Gymnasium’s future.
