Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot Teacher Trade Unions, POED, KTOS, OELMEK, KTOEOS, OLTEK, and DAU-SEN, members of Education International (EI) and the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), issued a joint statement to celebrate World Teachers’ Day.
“As we do every year, we honor the vital contributions of teachers, the professionals who shape the future of our societies, both here in Cyprus and around the world”, they say.
This year’s theme, ‘Valuing Teacher Voices – Towards a New Social Contract for Education,’ emphasizes the importance of ensuring that teachers play a central role in shaping the future of education. In their joint statement, they say that teachers’ voices and experiences are critical to building an educational system that addresses the needs of students and society, particularly in times of uncertainty and challenge.
“Ensuring that teachers are well-trained, well-supported and valued is the only way to build the education we need for the future we envision-one where equal
ity, diversity and inclusion are fundamental principles. It is essential to combat discrimination and foster an atmosphere of tolerance in our schools, making them safe spaces for both students and teachers alike”, they say.
The Unions emphasize that empowering teachers also means giving them the resources they need to succeed. Sustainable public funding for education is crucial to ensure that schools can provide high-quality education for all, they say. “We must resist the increasing privatization and commercialization of education, which undermines the principles of public responsibility and equal access”, they say.
By valuing teacher voices and empowering the teaching profession, we can create an educational system that not only equips students with the skills they need for the future but also promotes the values of peace, reconciliation and social cohesion, they add. “Together, we can build a better, more just future for all”.
Regarding Cyprus, teachers unions say that it is “our responsibility to work
for a better tomorrow, with mutual respect and understanding and to teach in our schools the importance of peace, democracy and justice”.
Source: Cyprus News Agency