AROUND 250 English School alumni and parents yesterday demonstrated against what they believe to be the school’s “fading excellence” due to party political intervention by affiliated board members.
Protesters gathered outside the English school gates after an email was sent to English School Old Boys and Girls Association (ESOGBA) members, calling for immediate action to “Save Our School Now.”
Asked why they were holding the event, ESOGBA Chairperson Magda Nicholson said: “We want to save our school. It has been a school of excellence for over 100 years, and now we feel the excellence is fading away due to political intervention. We want that to stop.”
Nicholson said the board was now comprised of AKEL, DIKO, DISY, EDEK and Turkish Political party members, who do not run the school in a manner that would maintain its character: academic excellence, fostering critical thinking and freedom of speech. “These things no longer exist. Not only among students but also members of staff.”
Her concerns were echoed by fellow ESOGBA member, Demetris Loucaides: “If you involve party politics…, then issues arise, as we have seen.” Asked what issues, Loucaides said: “People are more loyal to the party than the school.”
Another former student, Koula, said the school has been purposely downgraded in recent years, that the wrong teachers were promoted and educational standards had dropped.
“The teachers who are promoted are not the best ones but the ones affiliated with parties, which didn’t happen before.” She said the school had been run down and not fixed properly due to lack of money.
Nicholson also claimed that the school was following a policy of “enforced friendship”, forcefully partnering Greek Cypriots with Turkish Cypriot students during activities to encourage assimilation.
“They have applied the wrong policy which has victimised the Turkish Cypriots and made the other students react – it’s… reaction isnt it? … You can’t build friendships like that.”
The result, Nicholson said, is that now there are only two applicants per place, whereas a few years ago there were five.
“This year there were 260 applicants for entrance exams and the school takes 120… there’s a fifty per cent chance to enter the school. That doesn’t say much for excellence does it?” Nicholson said.
School board chairman Antonis Valanides last night refuted ESOGBA’s claims saying that no decision had ever been influence by political parties, no such friendship enforcement policy existed and there had been no deterioration in excellence.
Valanides said: “Our results are probably the best in Cyprus and comparable to the best schools in England. Furthermore, 85 per cent of our students go to Russell group universities, which are the top 20 British universities.”
Nicholson accepted that results remained good, but said this was due to extra tuition: “It’s still excellent but kids are being bombarded by private lessons.”
The beleaguered school board also faces the wrath of the English School Parents Association (ESPA) who were in force at yesterday’s event, for their “highly unethical” admission of two subpar Turkish Cypriot students.
In a joint letter to the English School Board, indignant (ESPA) members Koula Zampelas-Loizou and Danae Vrachas Morroni write: “We understand that two students were admitted to the school even though they failed to pass the required entrance exams.”
They allege Valanides and fellow board member Izet Iksan pushed for the admission of the two students, “in breach of and complete disregard for (their) duties.”
Accordingly, they say: “There is no other alternative for both yourself and Mr Iksan but to immediately tender your resignations from your posts as Board members.”
Valanides rejected this, saying “20 Turkish Cypriots were granted a place, but two decided not to take (them). The academic committee then decided to award them to two others. There is no pass mark.”
Away from the yesterday’s demonstration, the mood among English alumni was less indignant, ranging from apathy to skepticism.
One former student said yesterday: “I received the email but personally I don’t give (a care).”
Another questioned the veracity of ESOGBA’s claims about declining standards. He said: “I received emails from ESOGBA, another former student and ZIGOS (a political party founded by English School Alumni) and it seems to me to be a battle between the parents and the English School Board… I think they should get over it.”
A third former student, when asked if he cared, said simply: “Not really.”
Nicholson and ESOGBA will no doubt hope President Demetris Christofias is more enthusiastic about the matter when they take the matter to him.
“We will go to be heard by… political parties (and) the President, who is responsible for appointing members of the board. We are very worried” she said.