Education Minister Athena Michaelidou has taken to social media to address growing concerns regarding a school programme, following recent reports about planned student visits to northern Cyprus.

The controversy surrounds the inclusion of a student visit to the port of Kyrenia, organised by the historical dialogue and research association, within the framework of the Imagine programme.

Michaelidou emphasised the government’s unwavering stance on the reunification of the island and stated that the “love for our homeland, including the occupied areas, and our desire for liberation as soon as possible, are non-negotiable”.

The programme, which forms part of a broader initiative called Cyprus: A Classroom Without Walls, has been a subject of debate after reports surfaced indicating that schools were planning to participate in the initiative, which includes a visit to the north. The minister claimed that this marks the first time that the education ministry has included such a visit in its annual circular, circulated to schools for the past nine years. The visits aim to promote dialogue between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities and require parental consent.

The education ministry has launched an investigation into the involvement of two Nicosia-based schools, as the planned trip was scheduled outside of school hours. Critics, including the secondary education parents’ association, have expressed unease regarding the inclusion of the visit this year. They questioned whether the ministry had properly reviewed the programme in advance, given that previous activities in the initiative were confined to peace-building events during school hours or in the United Nations-controlled Ledra Palace area.

Michaelidou explained that the Imagine programme was first established in 2016 under the leadership of former president Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. It was coordinated by the technical committee on education to promote mutual understanding and fostering peace, respect, and other shared values between the island’s divided communities. The minister pointed out that many of the statements and media reports circulating on the matter had lacked accurate information.

Further clarifying her position, Michaelidou noted that while the ministry had been informing schools about the Imagine programme for nine years, it had never been directly involved in organising its activities. This year, however, the ministry was made aware that some schools were planning visits to the Green Line and the north outside of school hours, with parental consent.

The minister reiterated the ministry’s firm stance, stating that, as previously announced, it was clear that schools should not be involved in arranging or facilitating visits to the north.