Cambridge Assessment English, the ELT qualifications and teaching organisation, will begin work with the Cypriot government to provide learning materials and exams to its state school system.
The announcement marks the departure from the Cypriot state curriculum, as designed by the Ministry of Education.
“We work hand in hand with policy-makers in-country”
A trial of a maximum of 1,000 students will begin at the start of the 2019 academic year, and will include offering the B1 preliminary English test to 3rd grade students (aged 15). Although the scale of the trial has not been finalised, Dionysia Ioannou, country head Greece & Cyprus at Cambridge Assessment English told The PIE News that 10 schools were expected to take part.
Along with providing exam and preparation materials, Cambridge Assessment English will make a series of seminars available for teachers responsible for the new curriculum, Ioannou confirmed.
Ioannou could not discuss the financial arrangements of the deal, though she did confirm the Cypriot ministry approached Cambridge English and the British Council regarding the move.
“We work hand in hand with policy-makers and educationalists in-country to deliver positive educational impact, in line with national requirements. Our expertise and world-leading assessment services deliver international standards that can be integrated seamlessly with local systems, to improve learner outcomes and meet educational goals,” according to Ioannou.