Generation division in Cyprus education? different attitudes to education from younger and older teachers

Abstract

This study explores whether there is a generation division in Cyprus education, how it is manifested (if it really exists) in terms of teachers' actions and behaviours, and if it has any implications for school improvement. The data used for this article was collected from four schools following qualitative methods of inquiry. It was revealed that teachers were being grouped according to their age. The key characteristics of the two groups of teachers are presented in terms of their relationships with colleagues, pupils, parents and superiors, and in terms of their professional ideology. After exploring similarities and differences between the two groups of teachers I then support the argument that education in Cyprus appears to be divided according to the age of teachers. This division, I argue at the end, may have implications for the proper functioning of schools as well as for the successfulness of attempted innovations.