English School was always meant to serve all communities

Sir,

It is with sadness that I read how some Greek Cypriot parents are causing friction because, according to them, the school is losing its Hellenic and Greek Cypriot character.

The School was not meant to be as such.  It was set up by an Englishman for the benefit of all communities on the island.

I graduated in 1958 and came to England for higher education and have remained here ever since.  In my class at the English School I sat between an Armenian pupil and a Greek Cypriot pupil.  We had at least two Armenian teachers as well as Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot and, of course, English teachers, all of whom we respected.

We were taught the Greek language and the Greek Cypriots learned Turkish. On Fridays, lessons finished early so we could go to the mosque while Greek Cypriot pupils did sports or something. It was a great school.

The English School should be the one school where no brain-washing should be done and the truth be taught.  Those parents who want a Hellenic and Greek Cypriot school have sent their children to the wrong school.

Fevzi Ogelman
London