Coronavirus: Teachers, students call for change in exams

Secondary education teachers and pupils on Tuesday called on the education ministry to call off the twice-yearly exams in high schools citing the challenges faced due to the pandemic and the fact that around 1,500 students are in self-isolation.

The union of secondary education teachers Oelmek said that both them and student union Psem were in favour of calling off the twice-yearly exams citing practical problems and the unequal treatment of pupils since those who are in self-isolation are taught through distance learning. This puts them at a disadvantage to classmates who physically attend classes, they argue.

Head of Oelmek Themis Polyviou told state broadcaster CyBC that around 1,000 high school pupils and teachers are currently self-isolating.

According to reports the same is true for around 500 pupils and teachers in primary education.

Oelmek expressed concerns on Tuesday that many lyceum pupils will be in self-isolation in January when the first round of the twice-yearly exams will take place. The union suggested the two-week exam period could be used to cover teaching material instead and help pupils better understand it.

“There can be no twice-yearly exams this year, not in the environment that has been formed,” Psem said in a statement. The student body put banners up calling for the cancellation of the exams in many schools.

It also said students wanted a reduction in the amount of teaching material.

Polyviou said parents were also on board with the cancellation of the exams.

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