Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

After reading below article from Cyprus Mail .... I now understand my GC friend Micheal better now ..... He was right about their Union .
Also i can understand others reactiones about our regular meetings . We will not stop meeting each other . More we and our kids and families sees each other we will break their stupid walls .

Ombudswoman: teachers union showing ‘distrust and suspicion towards Turkish Cypriot pupils

By Stefanos Evripidou

Union says Greek and Turkish Cypriot adults should mutually accept each other first before children are asked to do so

Union says conditions not ripe for such activities yet, said the union leadership, adding that both Greek and Turkish Cypriot adults should mutually accept each other first before children were asked to do so

THE PRIMARY school teachers union POED was charged with showing “distrust and suspicion” towards Turkish Cypriot pupils and teachers by Ombudswoman Iliana Nicolaou yesterday, who called on the union to revise its policy towards Turkish Cypriots.

As head of the Authority against Racism and Discrimination, Nicolaou was asked to investigate a circular issued by the primary school teachers union last February. The circular set out the union’s positions on the Ministry’s goals for the academic year. In particular, the union had major misgivings about the proposed visits by Turkish Cypriot pupils and teachers to public primary schools as part of efforts to cultivate a culture of peaceful coexistence between the two communities on the island.

POED called on teachers and heads of schools not to implement the policy and rejected any suggestion that teachers would be subject to evaluation on their implementation of this aspect of the ministry goals.

The Ombudswoman received two complaints against the circular, where POED was charged with “fostering fear and distance between pupils of both communities” and encouraging teachers to discriminate against Turkish Cypriot pupils and teachers.

The results of her investigation were released yesterday.

“The circular indicates a distrust and suspicion towards the Turkish Cypriot pupils and teachers, which is inconsistent with the overall objective of the Ministry and with the stated goals of the organisation itself. In this respect, and without ignoring the sensitivities of POED on this issue and education in general, I believe that the reaction was rushed,” said Nicolaou.

POED had argued that in parallel to the new goals set for the academic year, teachers still had to implement existing goals, including the programme ““I know, I don’t forget and I struggle” on the Turkish occupation.

The union argued that allowing Turkish Cypriot pupils and teachers to visit primary schools might disrupt the smooth operation of schools by provoking feelings, sensitivities and concerns of teachers and parents.

Conditions were not ripe for such activities yet, said the union leadership, adding that both Greek and Turkish Cypriot adults should mutually accept each other first before children were asked to do so.

It further highlighted that a part of Cyprus remained occupied by “an illegal regime which is difficult to distinguish from Turkish Cypriots”. POED expressed fear that “the unpredictable evolution and unsuccessful implementation” of the goal could likely “cause irreparable psychological harm and other damage” to the children.

In her conclusion, Nicolaou stated that in this case, POED’s arguments “do not adequately support its positions”. The ombudswoman expressed her belief that such contacts between teachers and pupils from both communities presented an opportunity for natural forms of contact through education.

“Under favourable conditions, and not a charged atmosphere, it will contribute substantially to contact between the younger members of both communities and increase the chances of meeting the overall objective in consolidating a culture of peaceful coexistence.”

Regarding fears that it would disrupt the smooth operation of schools, Nicolaou said: “our education system has the potential to prevent, manage and deal with any unpleasant incident in connection with these visits.”

The head of the anti-discrimination authority called on POED to re-examine its position on the potential for visits of Turkish Cypriot pupils and teachers to primary schools in the free areas of Cyprus. The report was sent to the POED board and the education minister.

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009

[Get Real!]

It’s actually an Ombuds-woman and she bloody cost me £10,000 last year!

Anyway, keep in mind that "mistrust" is a two-way thing...

[YFred]

It’s actually an Ombuds-woman and she bloody cost me £10,000 last year!

Anyway, keep in mind that "mistrust" is a two-way thing...

Nop, it is a two way thing as Israeli Palestinian thing or the Serb Vs Bosnia thing.

Not equal at all. One is the oppressor and other the oppressed all within the international law.

[Get Real!]

It’s actually an Ombuds-woman and she bloody cost me £10,000 last year!

Anyway, keep in mind that "mistrust" is a two-way thing...

Nop, it is a two way thing as Israeli Palestinian thing or the Serb Vs Bosnia thing.

Not equal at all. One is the oppressor and other the oppressed all within the international law.

What I meant by "two-way thing" is that mistrust occurs when TWO conditions are met...

1. One of the parties is suspicious...
2. The other party is acting suspiciously!

[YFred]

It’s actually an Ombuds-woman and she bloody cost me £10,000 last year!

Anyway, keep in mind that "mistrust" is a two-way thing...

Nop, it is a two way thing as Israeli Palestinian thing or the Serb Vs Bosnia thing.

Not equal at all. One is the oppressor and other the oppressed all within the international law.

What I meant by "two-way thing" is that mistrust occurs when TWO conditions are met...

1. One of the parties is suspicious...
2. The other party is acting suspiciously!

GR GL