Ministry launches probe into private lessons claim

THE EDUCATION Ministry has launched an investigation into allegations that a high-school teacher deliberately failed students and then offered to give them private lessons.

Teachers union OELMEK said yesterday it would wait for the findings of the police probe before commenting on the issue.

On Tuesday, police confirmed that they were looking into complaints that a Nicosia district high school chemistry and physics teacher was flagrantly failing students and then offering to give them lessons at £300-400 so that they could pass his class.

Yesterday, OELMEK secretary general Sotiris Charalambous said such actions were condemnable if proved, adding his union would take a position after the police investigation was complete.

Charalambous said OELMEK had in the past tabled suggestions, which would enhance the quality of education and avoid the need for private lessons, but they had been rejected by the government.

On Tuesday, the Ministry announced it was launching a probe into the case, which has been in police hands for some time.

Police have gathered testimony from parents, who claimed the teacher failed their children then contacted them to offer private lessons for £30 a go.

The police are expected to complete the probe in the next few days and forward the case to the Attorney-general, who will then decide whether to prosecute the teacher.