Language Policy in Education and Its Affect in Cyprus Issues on the Development of Identity and Interethnic Relationships

The paper discusses educational and language policy issues within the context of the Greek Cypriot education as prescribed by the constitutional provisions of the 1960s settlement. In view of the prospect of unification in Cyprus, the author examines the role of language educational policy in future peace building. Key issues regarding ethnic identity and reciprocal nationalism are identified and discussed with regard to the monolingual segregated educational pattern followed during the post-independence period until today. Literature regarding language policy and planning in Greek Cypriot education is reviewed and discussed with respect to the development of democratic citizenship and the cultivation of a new social identity among the communities of the island raising issues of educational rights and intercultural communication. Finally, the author describes reciprocal bilingual and integrative innovation programs aiming at reducing conflict within the paradigm of three different settings and addresses questions regarding the process of communication and socialization of Greek and Turkish Cypriot children in a specific school setting in the Republic of Cyprus.