Livadia K.B’ Primary School

If you look from a satellite above the earth you will see this picture!

It looks like it is in the Middle East! Geographically speaking, this may be true. But, its culture and history place Cyprus in Europe!

Nicosia with its Venetian walls (unique in the whole world).

In the centre of the island is the

capital city of NICOSIA!

Nicosia (Lefkosia) The capital of Cyprus

Nicosia is the capital of Cyprus.

The population of Nicosia is about 200000.

It is the last divided capital in the world.

The central square of Nicosia

Map of Larnaka

LIVADIA MUNICIPALITY

This map shows modern Larnaka with its suburbs. One of them is Livadia, the area of our school.

Livadia The Municipality was named Livadia

thanks to the ground of the region, on which is built.

It is a grassland, in other words a flat place with running water and abundant vegetation for grazing. The word "livadi – λειβάδι" comes from the ancient greek word "limon - λειμών".

The population of Livadia was about 7200 in 2011.

Our School

The first primary school was built in Livadiain 1911.

Main characteristics;Pupils

4th, 5th and 6th Grade (10, 11 and 12 year olds)

9 classrooms (3 for each grade)Approximately 193 pupilsThe average teacher/pupil ratio is 20-23

pupils in each class.

EquipmentAll classrooms have at least one computer

and a video-projector unit and a interactive board nearly in all classrooms

There are special classrooms for Art, Music, Design and TechnologyHome Economics (Health Education) and Computers.

Teachers of the school

There are 15 full time and part time teachers (including me and three assistant head teachers)

There are also two part-time teachers for children with special needs and a speech-therapist.

Cyprus Educational System

HISTORICAL MOMENTS 1960: The establishment of the Republic of

Cyprus

Greek Cypriots – Turkish Cypriots

( Separate administrations for education but both controlled by the government)

1960: Free primary education

1964: Inter-communal problems

1972: Free secondary education

1974: Turkish invasion

1992: University of Cyprus

2004: Accession to the EU

Cyprus Educational System The Cyprus Educational System is very centralized.

It is organized and administrated by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

There is also an independent Commission, the Educational Service Commission, appointed directly by the President of the Republic, which is responsible for the recruitment, placement, transfer and promotion of teachers.

Teachers can stay at one school for the maximum of 6 years.

There are about 340 schools in Cyprus with 50 000 pupils.

Cyprus Educational System The Cyprus Educational System is centralized.

It is organized and administrated by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

There is also an independent Commission, the Educational Service Commission, appointed directly by the President of the Republic, which is responsible for the recruitment, placement, transfer and promotion of teachers.

Teachers can stay at one school for the maximum of 6 years.

There are about 340 schools in Cyprus with 50 000 pupils.

STAGES IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

Pre-primary

Primary

Secondary, technical

and vocational

Higher and tertiary

Free and Compulsory Pre-Primary 5 years old Primary 6-11 years ” Secondary 12-14 years ” Lyceum 15-17 years ” University 18 + a. State universities of Cyprus b. Private universities and colleges

Cyprus Educational System

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PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION

Its importance is recognised by the Government

Since 2004, it is compulsory and free for one year prior to attending the primary school

Three types of pre-primary institutions: public, community and private

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PRIMARY EDUCATION

Six-year free and compulsory

Teacher salaries paid by the Government

Annual grants to School Boards

Schools in every town and village with 15+ pupils

Pupil/teacher ratio 17:1

Class size: Grade 1-6: 25 pupils maximum

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Curriculum of the school

There is a National Curriculum, which is compulsory for all public schools in the island. The Curriculum is under reform and at the beginning of next year several changes will take place.

There are also specific aims for every school year, set by the Department of Primary Education.

Content of the Curriculum Language (Greek) Mathematics Science History Geography Religious Education English (as a foreign language) Art Music Physical Education Design and Technology Home Economics (Health Education)

The Educational Reform In 2005 the Educational Reform (ER) was launched; ER objectives;

The aim is to turn into reality the vision of a better educational system that would meet pupils´ future needs and society's challenges of the 21st century.

Special emphasis is given on the “democratic and humanistic school”.

In terms of school practice knowledge is “measured” through “skills” and “indicators” that are placed on all curriculum subjects

Thematic working groups are preparing teacher material and textbooks; in all working groups there is an substantive number of active teachers involved.

Innovations; teaching EFL from kindergarten and Year 1; transforming curriculum subjects either through new content (Health Education) or joint subjects (i.e. Science and Technology);

Still there is a lot of work to be done especially in the field of teacher education.

Now we are in the process to evaluate this reform.

School year

The school year starts on the first Monday of September and ends on the last but one Friday of June.

We have Christmas Vacations (from 23rd of December – 6th of January)

We have (Greek Orthodox) Easter Vacations for two weeks.

Timetable

The school week is from Monday to Friday. A school day starts at 07:45 a.m.

(teachers must be at school from 07:30 a.m.) and ends at 1:05 p.m.

A school day consists of 7 (40 minutes ) periods, with three breaks.

Once a week, on Wednesday, there is a 50 minutes staff meeting.

WE SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE IN MIND THAT

If you plan for one year, plant rice.

If you plan for ten years, plant trees.

If you plan for centuries, educate people.

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Thank you for your attention!