The President of the Cyprus State Scholarship Foundation (IKYK) announced on Thursday that his resignation is at the disposal of the President of the Republic. He made this statement to the press after attending a session of the Parliamentary Audit Committee, where he had been invited to appear.

Responding to a question, Mr. Skalias stated that he had already submitted his resignation to the President of the Republic on February 24, resigning both from his position as President of IKYK and from his role as the President’s Education Advisor. However, he noted that the President did not accept his resignation.

Mr. Skalias clarified that his decision to resign as the President’s Education Advisor is final and irrevocable. "As of today, I officially and publicly declare that I am no longer the President’s Education Advisor. My resignation as President of the Cyprus State Scholarship Foundation remains at the President’s disposal. If he calls me today to relieve me of my duties, I will accept it because I was the one who requested it," he stated.

"When an education advisor to the President resigns amid developments in the education sector, it means something is happening," he added.

Responding to further inquiries, Mr. Skalias stated that he had not participated in any meetings at the Ministry of Education regarding key issues, including the evaluation framework for educators, the appointment list system, or matters related to school violence and delinquency.

"I was not invited to any discussions on issues troubling the education sector," he emphasized, adding that he was never given access to the educator evaluation framework, "which was made available to everyone else."

"It is not in my nature, at my age, to serve as a mere decorative figure in education," he remarked.

Referring to the issue of IKYK scholarships, Mr. Skalias expressed his exhaustion over recent developments, particularly concerning the scholarship process. He mentioned that "statements were made against me personally by individuals who may not have been adequately informed on the matter."

As he pointed out, "official documents prove that, as President of the Foundation, I had been corresponding with the Ministry of Finance on the matter of 348 scholarship recipients since September."

"Every person has their own dignity and ethical standards. The position I hold is unpaid. Such matters should not be handled in this way," he added.

Mr. Skalias clarified that he receives €70 per month for attending IKYK meetings, an amount subject to taxation. Additionally, as President of IKYK, he is entitled to an annual representation allowance of €1,200.