Country information for Cyprus - Teacher education for inclusive education

Mainstream teachers fall into two broad categories:

• Primary school teachers follow a four-year university-based general teacher education course and can then be employed as primary school teachers.
• Specialist teachers, employed to provide services to learners in mainstream primary schools, in special units attached to mainstream schools or in special schools, have specific job descriptions.

At present, specialist teachers are classified as specialising in:

• teaching learners with specific learning, functional or adjustment difficulties;
• teaching learners with visual impairments;
• teaching learners with hearing impairments;
• speech therapy;
• psychology;
• physiotherapy;
• special physical education;
• music therapy;
• occupational therapy;
• audiology.

Preparatory service

Secondary school teachers must complete a university degree in a specific curriculum subject. Upon employment, they must further complete a seven-month, pre-service training programme offered by the University of Cyprus. This consists of courses on psychology, methodology of teaching, didactics and school experience.

In secondary education, mainstream subject teachers provide support for pupils with special needs. Various seminars regarding special education are organised every year to assist them in this task.

In-service training

All teachers are encouraged to attend professional development courses run by the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, many of which have particular reference to special education. The Institute offers different schemes of school-based seminars, conferences and workshops. Afternoon optional series of seminars are at the teachers’ and schools’ disposal to formulate their professional learning action plan. Other programmes offered are school-based in-service training and support, afternoon seminars on various subjects and conferences organised in co-operation with other departments of the Ministry, universities and NGOs. Attendance at in-service seminars is compulsory, while attendance at local seminars is encouraged. Attendance at continuous professional development courses is considered when determining a teacher’s performance during teacher evaluation.

Last updated 07/02/2020