The development of primary school teacher education in Cyprus

Abstract

The aim of this long essay is to describe and analyze the development of primary school teacher education in Cyprus in the light of the following: a) The political, socio-economic and educational context of Cyprus. b) The major issues, problems and trends in the field of teacher education. c) The smallness of scale. The first chapter, which constitutes the literature review, gives an historical background and deals with the major issues, problems and trends prevailing in the field of teacher education. Chapter two deals with the issue of the provision of higher education in small states with specific reference to some outstanding features of teacher education. The third chapter traces the development of primary teacher education in Cyprus starting from its birth at the end of the nineteenth century and progressing up to its incorporation into the newly established University of Cyprus. Chapter four traces historical parallels, identifies problems and offers suggestions for the further development of primary school teacher education in Cyprus.