Parliament divided over degrees in English at universities

The House Education Committee in Cyprus met on Thursday 30 January to discuss a contentious government bill that would allow state universities to offer undergraduate programmes in English, reports en.philenews.

The Ministry of Education and public universities support the legislation, arguing it would enhance international competitiveness. The national student union POFEN has also backed the proposal. However, teachers’ unions OELMEK and OLTEK, alongside the Pancyprian Confederation of Secondary Education Parents, strongly oppose the measure, warning it could create a two-tier education system favouring private school students who take international examinations. “Private school owners will waive this law and tell students ‘come to us, take GCEs and secure a place at the University of Cyprus’,” said MP Andreas Themistocleous, highlighting concerns about economic discrimination against public school students.

University of Cyprus Rector Tasos Christofides urged parliament to bring the bill to a plenary vote, warning that Greek universities would soon offer English-language programmes through local branches while Cypriot institutions cannot.
Full report on the en.philenews site