Fury over school programme sending pupils to occupied territories
Source: Cyprus Mail
Concerns have emerged over reports that schools planned to participate in activities involving trips to the occupied territories, specifically the Kyrenia harbour. The programme, organised by the association for historical dialogue and research, offers workshops, conferences, and educational trips for pupils and teachers.
Reactions intensified after reports surfaced that the education ministry had issued a circular on September 17, 2024, informing school directors about these activities. While such a circular has been sent for nine consecutive years, this is the first time it has included a trip to the occupied territories.
The issue was highlighted following a report by Sigma news, revealing that a school’s programme included a visit to Kyrenia’s harbour. The school informed pupils and parents that the association was organising visits for children aged 13 to 17 under the theme “Cyprus: A Classroom Without Walls.”
The programme involved pupils from both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, who would attend a preparatory workshop before visiting two locations on either side of the Green Line.
Schools also provided details on checkpoint crossings and necessary travel documents.
This visit was scheduled for a Saturday, outside school hours. In response, the education ministry launched an investigation into the involvement of two Nicosia district schools.
A source from the ministry clarified that participation in such activities, held outside school hours, is voluntary and requires parental approval, absolving schools of any responsibility.
President of the secondary school parents’ association Loizos Constantinou stated, “Visiting the occupied areas is a personal choice. However, schools do not include trips to the occupied territories in their curriculum.”
He called for clarity from the ministry on whether it had reviewed these programmes before issuing the circular.
The programme, part of the ‘Imagine’ initiative, traditionally includes anti-racism and peace-building activities held within school premises or in the UN-controlled Ledra palace area during school hours.
This year’s inclusion of a visit to Kyrenia has raised questions. Sources indicate that the controversy stems from a school’s independent decision to schedule the trip outside working hours. For the past three years, Turkish Cypriot teachers have not participated, following restrictions imposed by the Turkish Cypriot administration.
The ministry-backed programme, running since 2017, has involved 6,700 pupils and trained 1,200 educators. It is funded by Germany’s foreign ministry and facilitated by the association, alongside the home for cooperation. Training sessions are held separately for each community and jointly in the Ledra palace area when conditions permit. Future plans suggest potential exchanges between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot students.
The circular concludes that interested participants should directly contact the association for historical dialogue and research to register. The ministry of education has yet to comment on this year’s inclusion of a trip to the occupied territories.
The original article: belongs to Cyprus Mail .
