Cyprus-Forum.com

[webbo]

maybe a beer at least

Please, as this is a Cypriot feast, we should celebrate with Ouzo at least! Unless it is local beer, yes?

Bubbles x

[IcyNoAngel]

nevermind me... maybe I'm too subtle

[phoenix]

The British pawn off their kids to strangers to educate them.

They think education can only be achieved in a classroom.

Do I detect 'tit for tat'?

May I ask if you personally know all your sons teachers? Did your parents know your teachers when you were at school?
We all know that education is not just in the classroom, but thank you for youri'insight'

You really should think before you write such generalised and rubbish statements.

Take a leaf out of Lena' book gori - she had the decency to inform me the importance and relevance of today. You - well, it appears 'any excuse to slag off the British'.......................................

Bubbles x

Why do you take everything so personally?

..... I knew all the teachers at the school personally, not just my son's ... and I volunteered at the school to help the teachers with their duties. I raised funds for the school and conducted science fairs for fun etc.

Is that enough information for you?

Personally you ask? You trying to tell me it was not aimed at me or the British (which I am and proud of it too)
Did you know all the teachers at your sons school before he started, or were they in fact 'strangers'? Let's face it Phoenix, we all send our kids off to school to perfect strangers. That was my point, which sadly you missed!

By the end of the first term we all knew the teachers on a personal level. My sons' nursery used to organise a brilliant Christmas party each year which I was still attending many years after my sons left!

A number of dedicated mums (and some dads - but remember they tend to be the bread winner) volunteered their services to the schools back home. This was the norm. I used to go in 2 or 3 times a week and help the little ones with their reading and writing! We also used to help at the Christmas fete, the summer fete, sports day, the Christmas play etc etc. Not sure if they do that here (I know they do in the privately run nurseries etc as my friend helps out) It is very rewarding, that much I do know!

Bubbles x

If you notice above, I stated two points as opinions ... they were not aimed at you or the British or the Cypriots. Two isolated points which came to mind from the thread topic.... Left hanging for someone to add their opinion to.

That did not mean you personally Bubbles ... no problem with you or anyone dissecting the opinions ... quite happy with that ... but it is unfortunate when someone, for no apparent reason, decides it is aimed at them, when they were not mentioned /quoted, and then proceeds to tell me off or tell me how I should have better addressed them instead. Having stated my case (more for future ref.) I will continue with the discussion:

Bubbles, I think you have missed the main point.

I do not assume that anyone can effectively know another person in terms of allowing complete trust with their child's welfare .... although we deliberately chose a school open enough for us to get to know the teachers in the year prior to nursery entry and easy parental access subsequently.

No ..... the general point I was making is that the cultural norm in the UK (less so in Scotland) is that the school is the place to administer education and parental input towards a child's education, beyond that, is minimal. The school is too frequently used as a dumping ground so that the parents can continue their jobs / careers.

The school is expected to gear the kids towards exams and in fact the exam league tables take on an unhealthy perspective.

The cultural norm in Cyprus seems to be that the parents take a very active interest in the education of their children and have high expectations of the schools. They do not seem to just settle for good exam results.

[Sega]

Oh Bubbles mou you need to know few things more not just to translate.

As Sotos said it is a National Day but not that simple for the Education but for the Treis Ierarhes. Its more like a religious day. Those 3 saints (Megas Basileios, Iwannis o Chrisostomos and Grigorios o Theologos) are celebrating together every year at 30th of January. We celebrate it as you heard with the schools, teachers and students to honor them for what they offer to the education apart from their actions as prelates (=ierarxes).

Is Bubbles me? I am Sega, you know your friend Sega.

Sega my dear I know you are Sega and not Bubbles....but the question came from Bubbles and i thought she heard that in Greek and translate it to English to understand it. Anyway i was only trying to explain her what that day is all about which has nothing to do with the language anyway.

It's nice to know your not confusing me. I changed my avatar, so I thought you might think I am somebody else. You like it? I like it.

[LENA]

Yes I've notice that. Yes looks nice....hope is not your picture....I thought your were more whity not yellow. Kidding.

[Sega]

Yes I've notice that. Yes looks nice....hope is not your picture....I thought your were more whity not yellow. Kidding.

Thanks I chose it because it's unique and cartoony.

[suzie-q]

If the Cypriot schools are reaching the parents expectations Phoenix, why then do the parents spend all afternoon taking their children to extra lessons? If it was only down to the schools (and not the extra lessons) maybe the exam results would show what quality of teaching really goes
on.
Children are under so much stress in Cyprus to keep up with the other kids, I find it very sad that they don't have time to be children.

[LENA]

Some of those afternoon classes can give you a degree as well apart from supporting you for school. Lots of children do afternoon classes for their entertainment as well...like dancing classes, music, arts, martial arts etc etc


As a kid that went to afternoon classes i had enough time to be a child play at home and with friends outside, go to parties, stay on the couch and watch tv etc etc. Its not always so bad as it looks. Some of those kids dont really need the afternoon classes but the parents want to be sure and because the neighbors sent their children why not them. Also if parents spent more time helping their kids as well will be good idea too and not just pay someone else to explain them.

[phoenix]

If the Cypriot schools are reaching the parents expectations Phoenix, why then do the parents spend all afternoon taking their children to extra lessons? If it was only down to the schools (and not the extra lessons) maybe the exam results would show what quality of teaching really goes
on.
Children are under so much stress in Cyprus to keep up with the other kids, I find it very sad that they don't have time to be children.

On the contrary exam pressure is killing education for kids in the UK.

If you read my post it says that Cypriot parents have high expectations from schools .... they seem to play a bigger role in the local community and teachers seem to be better respected.

Since the school day is much shorter in Cyprus it leaves the parents able to participate more with extracurricular activities outside these hours.

Thus the child's needs / interests (Music, language etc) can be customised.

[IcyNoAngel]

What do afternoon classes mean? I really don't get it, I've never heard of something like that in my country, it does not exist.
Can you explain?