1,500 new teachers appointed

THE EDUCATIONAL Service Commission (ESC) yesterday confirmed the appointment of almost 1,500 teachers to meet the needs of primary and secondary education for this school year.

According to ESC member George Matsikaris, 143 people were made permanent in primary education for the academic year of 2011-2012. Moreover, 226 teachers have already been appointed on a temporary contract basis, while another 13 are still pending.

Matsikaris also said that 1,930 people are currently registered on the appointment waiting list. With this year’s appointments, the number on the list will be reduced to 430.

As for transfers, most of them have already taken place, and very few are left to be completed by the end of August.

With regards to appointments in secondary education, 192 permanent teachers have been appointed. 650 temporary positions were approved by the cabinet, of which 450 have already been allocated.

ESC member George Mavrokordatos told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that the places left will go to foreign language, photography and drama teachers, as well as teachers who have disabilities.

He added that this year there has been a reduction in the appointment of temporary teachers, following last year’s appointment of 850 people.

Mavrokordatos also said that 250-300 people, who were appointed to temporary positions in the last few years, were not re-employed this year.  Efforts are being made so that some of these people will be re-appointed.

He confirmed that the ministry is expected to offer places to another 30-32 teachers for non-native speaking students. Mavrokordatos mentioned that language teachers are the ones who have suffered most from the reduction in positions, both this year and last. 70 language teachers who were appointed the previous years will not be re-appointed this year.

Concerning the appointment waiting list in secondary education, Mavrokordatos told CNA, that all those who will register this year have no hope of ever being appointed. There are over 30,000 people on the list, which has on average a 20-year waiting period. However, he said, they all wish to be registered since this accredits their degree.

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