The English School and political equality

George Koumoullis, former Professor of Economics at the English School in Nicosia, writing in Politis, refers to a recent decision by the Board of the English School not to recognize the feast of Bayram.

He says this decision, which was taken with the tacit approval of the government and with the Headmaster sitting on the fence, brings to light the fact that a section of the economic and political elite of this country nourishes feelings of contempt for the nature of a bizonal bicommunal federation and the participation of both communities in the organs and structures of a future federal government. By showing its disrespect for the religion and customs of the Turkish Cypriot community, the board may gladden the nationalists and rejectionists, but puts yet another knife in the back of the vision of reunification, while at the same time questioning our true intentions regarding the solution of the Cyprus problem. Ombudswoman Eliza Savvides, to her credit and to the credit of the institution she represents, wrote to the Chairman and Members of the English School Board urging them to reconsider their decision, but unfortunately her appeal fell on deaf ears.

The Board of the English School either does not understand the meaning and importance of political equality or, more likely, doesn’t give a damn. Yet political equality would be a fundamental element of the new constitution of Cyprus if, of course, an agreement is ever reached and the island becomes de jure a federal state where the Turkish Cypriots would be equal partners in Cyprus. It would mean, for example, that the Greek Cypriots would not be able to amend the Constitution unilaterally, that is to say, without the consent of the Turkish Cypriot community. Otherwise, the human rights of the Turkish Cypriots would not be secured.

Let’s take an example from the EU. Cyprus with a population of just under 800,000, has the ability to veto and thwart a treaty change desired by the rest of the EU, whose total population is about 550 million. In addition, the EU presidency changes hands every six months. Thus a tiny country like ours is equal with Germany, which has a population that is 100 times greater, and a GDP that is 160 times larger than ours. It could be argued that the EU is an economic and political union sui generis and therefore is the exception rather than the rule. But political equality exists in all federal constitutions where the rule of law is guaranteed, because only then are the rights of small states and minorities protected. Another example, in the U.S. each state elects two members to the 100-member Senate regardless of the size of its population or its economic capacity.

In a few days time the English School will celebrate the memory of its founder, Anglican priest Frank Newham. This will be a master class in hypocrisy since the spirit and mission of the English School has now in 2013 been degenerated so radically. Were Newham to visit the School today to see how it works, how it is managed and how some students behave, he would leave in despair. Newham’s vision was of a multicultural school where there would be mutual respect and brotherhood between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.  Newham was inspired by the preachings of the enlightenment with the motto “liberté, égalité, fraternité (liberty, equality, brotherhood). He would often enter a classroom holding a Greek Cypriot child in one hand and a Turkish Cypriot child in the other. That’s why he obliged his 4^th Year students to learn the language of the other community. That is why the school adhered to the main religious festivals of both communities. Nor did he ever envision that the school would be a Greek lyceum with an English slant, where racism is being officially promoted to reach its zenith while respect for diversity sinks to its nadir. Neither did he envision that the English School would become a nursery for students with unbridled chauvinism who would, with the likely approval of their parents, be writing insane slogans on the walls, like "The English School is Greek." In short, the current English School has no relation whatsoever with what it was like in 1974 and before. The Board of the English School under the influence of an ecclesiastical shadow-government is steering the School boat towards Christiano-Hellenic waters (and oh what memories that brings us!). Thus the various events and fanfare in honour of Newham will be nothing but a farce.

If the Anastasiades government wants the modernisation, which it continuously touts, then it is time to marry words with actions in the case of the Board of the English School as well. It is unacceptable that members of the Board be appointed based on party criteria, even if they have no idea of educational issues to the exclusion of the most capable people with credentials in education and administration.

This is the reason why the English School is sick.