Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’ information technology sector has called for urgent reforms in the way informatics is taught in schools, warning that the country risks falling behind if education does not keep pace with technological change.
Call for changes in informatics teaching
Speaking at the Teachers for STEM conference organised by the Cyprus Computer Society (CCS), George Malekkos, president of Cyprus IT Enterprises Association (CITEA), said the issue extends beyond the school curriculum and directly concerns the competitiveness of the Cypriot economy.
Malekkos said informatics cannot continue to be taught using outdated models at a time when artificial intelligence, data and automation are reshaping the global economy.
He added that teachers represent a crucial lever for change, as they do not simply transmit knowledge but also help shape students’ self-confidence, ambitions and modern mindset.
CITEA called for faster reforms, warning that while technology evolves every six months, education systems cannot continue to move at the pace of a decade.
Women’s participation in STEM
Malekkos said Cyprus continues to lag behind the rest of Europe in the participation of women in STEM professions, warning that the country cannot afford to overlook a large share of its potential workforce.
“We cannot talk about innovation when we leave out half of the country’s talent,” he said.
He noted that women already hold key positions of responsibility in the technology sector and within CITEA itself, adding that this has been achieved through merit and proven excellence rather than quotas.
Commitment to collaboration
Malekkos reaffirmed CITEA’s commitment to working closely with stakeholders, including CCS, Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS), universities and the Ministry of Education.
“Change will not come with words, it will come with collaboration,” Malekkos said.
What changes to informatics teaching would you like to see introduced in schools?
