The future of our schools: An example of the Delphi technique in action and the case of Cyprus

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate the future of education (pre‐primary, primary and secondary education) in Cyprus until the year 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

A three‐round Delphi forecasting technique is used in order to make predictions about the future of schools and schooling in Cyprus based on the opinions of a panel of Cypriot experts.

Findings

Future problems and difficulties, strategies for anticipating the future and possible and desirable features of the Cyprus school until the year 2020 are identified. Among these features are: increased influence of the free market, compatibility of the school with the information society, keeping pace with developments in European schools, re‐planning of the school infrastructure and programs, the increase in pupil violence, emphasis on evaluation procedures and staff development, and increased school “openness” towards society.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited in the fact that the only way to verify predictions about the future is to wait until they occur. Moreover, since it is based on the opinions of a select panel of experts, generalization of results must be made with caution.

Practical implications

The future characteristics of Cypriot schools that have been described and the specific predictions that have been made constitute a vast think‐tank of thoughts and opinions for the future state of schools and schooling in Cyprus.

Originality/value

The results of this study constitute a rich setting of future developments for Cyprus schools, which provides a particular source of information for those who have the responsibility of creating educational policy and planning for the years to come. Further, the value of the study as a comparative paper about how educational systems can cope with future challenges is great; additionally, the methodology used was technologically advanced and could easily be imitated by other researchers who would like to utilise it in future studies.

Citation

Stylianides, M. and Pashiardis, P. (2007), "The future of our schools: An example of the Delphi technique in action and the case of Cyprus", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 21 No. 5, pp. 384-406. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540710760174