Social Educational Centre “Zenon"

Ministry-approved volunteer teachers to offer lessons for future success
Dr Gregoris A. Makrides
The Cyprus Mathematical Society and Thales Foundation, in collaboration with the Bank of Cyprus, presents the institution of Social Educational Centre (SEC) "Zenon", as part of a social mission. The institution aims to help 12th grade students in public schools, who are facing financial difficulties, participate in a number of enhanced lessons to effectively prepare and compete in the National Pancyprian Examinations for a successful position in the National Universities of Cyprus and Greece.
The Social Education Centre (SEC) "Zenon" assists students in the fields of science (mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology) and Modern Greek. The lessons will be delivered by volunteer teachers who have been approved by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus.
The courses will be organised from January to early June in 2017 and hosted in all cities daily from 3pm until 7pm at designated schools. The maximum size of each group will be 10 students. Students will be offered two hours per week for each subject. 
SEC will also support co-teaching approach and methods (an experienced teacher co-teaching with a less experienced teacher) for each group of students so the initiative will provide value added support to students and teachers with less experience.
Students Selection Criteria with scoring weights
• Economic criteria: 50%
• Performance in school: 20%
• Social criteria: 20%
• Social contribution and volunteering: 10%
Further Analysis
1. Financial criteria (50% of the total score)
The rating of the financial status of the student takes into account the annual income of the family. With a percentage score for assessment, less income gets higher rate in rankings.
2. Performance at school (20% of total score)
The overall score in 11th grade ensures a proportionate percentage score out of 20.
3. Social criteria and health status of the family and applicant (20% of total score):
Social criteria (10%)
• Orphan from one or both parents
• Applicant under the protection of the Social Welfare Department
• Divorced parents
• Refugee family with legal residence in Cyprus and knowledge of the Greek language by the student
• Large families (three kids or more)
Health status (10%)
Student applicant's health problem (description up to 30 words)
Family Health Problem (description up to 30 words)
4. Social Contribution — Volunteering (10% of total score)
Social contribution, volunteering, etc. List up to three activities.
Subjects for which the student needs support
Students (applicants) are asked to declare the subjects for which they
request support.
• Modern Greek
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
The Institution is open to volunteers including organisations who want to partner and contribute. For more information, visit www.cms.org.cy, e-mail: cms@cms.org.cy, or call +357-22378101.