Her white hair and the pronounced lines that formed on her face as she smiled and welcomed the attendees testified that she was a woman who had surpassed 80 years of age.
In front of her, was a table spread with fresh tarts, flaounes, truffles, and a multitude of other sweet and savoury treats. Men and women in traditional, embroidered costumes hurried past, some carrying musical instruments, while the space was decorated with numerous paintings, photographs, handicrafts, mosaics, stained glass, handmade jewellery, and pottery.
These were displayed a few days ago at an event held by the Nicosia Adult Educational Centres of the Ministry of Education, marking the end of their courses.
“Father, come and see my painting,” said a woman to an elderly man as they proudly stood before a painting of pink roses, while another woman took photos with her children next to her craftwork. A chess game was underway, captivating attendees with the creations. The atmosphere that characterised this packed and significant celebration of the Adult Educational Centres was one of enthusiasm.
The director of the Nicosia Adult Educational Centres, Giorgos Mylonas told Phileleftheros that students range from 15 to 90 years old. “We have a student over 80 who attends dance classes every year,” he noted.
“The success of the institution is evident from the massive participation of citizens, which nationally reached 18,000, with 8,000 specifically in the Nicosia province, marking a significant increase compared to last year’s total of 12,000 nationally and 5,000 in Nicosia,” he added. “The Adult Educational Centres have been established in the consciousness of the citizens for the quality and broad spectrum of their subjects. This year, 366 qualified educators are teaching nationwide under fixed-term employment contracts.”
Moreover, he mentioned that this year free lessons were offered to a total of 195 groups including institutions for people with disabilities and mental illnesses, senior citizens, army camps, and Central Prisons. Additionally, free lessons in Greek and English were provided to asylum seekers at the Kofinou Reception Centre, detention facilities in Menogeia and the Dhekelia Base, as well as lessons in Turkish for Greek Cypriots and vice versa.
According to Mylonas, the most popular course this year, as per enrollment requests, was in pottery and ceramics. “There was such high interest that everyone couldn’t enroll,” he said. There was also significant interest in courses on silversmithing, agriculture, gardening, oenology, dancing, fitness, Zumba, handicrafts, handmade jewellery, sculpture, crochet, cooking, and confectionery, as well as a course titled “Discover Cyprus”. As every year, there was also considerable interest in foreign languages, particularly Spanish and Italian this year.
“The final event went very well, as did the year in general, which we characterise as a recovery,” he added, noting that the programs had been significantly impacted in previous years. “The pandemic directly affected the operation of the Adult Educational Centres, as face-to-face teaching was suspended for at least three years.” However, during the school year 2021-2022, they implemented a pilot programme offering remote education, mainly for language learning (Greek, Turkish, and Russian), which proved successful.
“The first adult education programme in Cyprus was initiated in 1952, voluntarily, in the rural areas of the island by a group of primary school teachers. Their goal was primarily to combat the high levels of illiteracy prevalent at that time. This effort proved to be very successful. As a result, with Cyprus’s independence in 1960, the Adult Educational Centres were established,” he noted, adding that the programmes gradually included other topics such as handicrafts.
A variety of subjects are offered, which relate to the teaching and learning of foreign languages, arts and crafts, culture, health, practical applications, the acquisition of professional skills, and other general topics such as public relations, communication, business administration, and journalism.
The Educational Centres today represent the largest adult education programme in Cyprus. The general purpose is the holistic development of personality, as well as the economic and cultural progress of both the citizens and the society.
Andreas Tsolakis, head of the Adult Educational Centres, speaking to Phileleftheros, noted that the turnout at the final event in Nicosia was moving, while similar celebrations will also take place in other provinces. He also mentioned that the participants are mainly young adults, while about 35% are retirees.
The majority, he said, are people who are realising a dream through the Educational Centres.
