Since May 18, 2023, no officials from the School Board or the Ministry of Education have been allowed to visit the kindergarten, primary school and gymnasium in Rizokarpaso unless they first secure permission from the so-called “foreign minister” of the breakaway entity. As a result, even Cyprus’s Education Minister Athina Michaelidou, during visits to the occupied areas, has been able to meet pupils and teachers only in the school café, not inside classrooms.
House Education Committee chair Pavlos Mylonas disclosed the restriction during today’s session on the operating conditions of Rizokarpaso’s schools. Rizokarpaso community leader Michalis Mikellis confirmed that, since May 18, 2023, entry to the school premises by anyone other than teaching staff requires prior authorization.
Ministry’s position
Attending the session, Minister Athina Michaelidou called the uninterrupted operation of Rizokarpaso’s schools a top priority. She cited accumulated problems and “significant challenges” created by the occupying authorities, stressing that obstacles extend beyond teacher appointments to the broader impediments to ensuring quality education for children there. “Our goal is to stabilise the situation and safeguard our presence and data on the ground; maintaining a school there, with equal rights for the children, is a matter of national importance,” she said.
Staffing and governance gaps
Teacher's Unions POED and OELMEK raised appointment and staffing issues, noting among other points that the Rizokarpaso primary school currently has no head teacher.
The committee continued in closed session for the remainder of the discussion.