Cyprus - The country of education.
Cyprus, alongside Denmark and Sweden, ranks amongst the top three countries in the European Union in terms of education spending (around 7% of GDP). All children residing in the Republic are entitled to receive compulsory education. It is also important to note that foreign families residing in Cyprus with children are also obliged to send them to school. The residency status of parents or guardians does not affect the ability to receive education.
Education system in Cyprus.
The education system in Cyprus consists of four stages:
Pre-Primary Education (Pre-Primary school).
There is a wide selection of Pre-Primary institutions in Cyprus. These can be in the form of State, communal, or private Kindergartens.If the ownership of State Pre-Primary institutions is clear, communal Kindergartens are organised where there is a shortage of places in State institutions. They are managed by parent associations or local authorities. Private Kindergartens are owned by legal or natural persons. It should be noted that all Pre-Primary educational institutions in Cyprus operate only with the permission of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, after obtaining the necessary licence.
The fee for State institutions is symbolic (up to €50), and all expenses are covered by the Ministry of Education of Cyprus. As for communal and private Kindergartens, all expenses are borne by parents. The monthly fee for stay can range from between €150 to €500 per month, depending on the institution, location, etc.
In State Pre-Primary Kindergartens, education is conducted in Greek. Private and communal institutions offer programs in English, Greek and other languages, these are often bilingual institutions. The age of admission to State and communal Kindergartens starts from 3 years old, while private Kindergartens can accept even infants up to 1 year old.
The advantage of a private Kindergarten is that it can be chosen based on personal preference, while a State or communal Kindergarten is based solely on the place of residence. Applications for admission to State Kindergartens are submitted only in January, while for private Kindergartens, it can be done at any time during the year. Private Kindergartens also cooperate with primary schools, and children are easily accepted there without being on a waiting list.
Attending Kindergarten before the age of 4.8 is not mandatory, but after this age, the State requires passing a Pre-Primary school class before attending primary school. Without a Pre-Primary school certificate, admission to school is not accepted!
Primary School.
Primary schools in Cyprus can be either public or private. There are also schools affiliated with some Embassies.
In public primary schools, children receive free education from the age of 6. The duration of education is 6 years, and there are no more than 25 students per class. Only the Greek language is used for teaching in public schools. In the primary curriculum, students learn Greek language, mathematics, religious studies, history, geography, science, English language, art, music, physical education and social studies. Homework is assigned in Greek and mathematics. The school provides basic educational materials, while parents purchase uniforms, backpacks and stationery.
Teachers in the class change annually, and every few years teachers switch schools. It is believed in Cyprus that this ensures that there are no "weak" and "strong" schools. There are no parent-teacher meetings, but teachers hold parent meetings at the beginning of the school year for introductions. Grades are not given in primary school, parents receive information about their child's progress in personal communication with the teacher. The school year is divided into trimesters with breaks for Easter, Summer, and Christmas. At the end of primary school, students receive certificates.
Secondary School.
Secondary schools in Cyprus can be public or private. The duration of education is 6 years, from the age of 12 to 18 years.
Lower Secondary School (Gymnasium).
The curriculum of the Gymnasium is designed for 3 years (7-9 grades) and is mandatory for all. In public schools (Gymnasiums), students study humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, foreign languages, computer science and religion. Private Gymnasiums either follow the entire public school program, keep 2/3 of the public school subjects or have their own curriculum. Cypriot public schools are free, while all private schools determine their own tuition fees.
Starting from the 7th grade in Gymnasium, students take annual transfer exams in Greek language, mathematics, physics, and history. In the 9th grade, there are also final exams. Each private school has its own rules for exams.
The grading system in schools in Cyprus.
Assessment of students' knowledge and skills is carried out by teachers throughout the academic year. The following methods are used:
- Effectiveness and activity in lessons;
- Small written assignments;
- Written tests (once every three months);
- Homework projects;
- Independent assignments for creativity;
- Exams;
Written tests, translation tests and final exams are held annually in June. From grades 7 to 9, students take mandatory subjects such as Greek language, mathematics, history and natural sciences (physics, chemistry and biology).
Assessment of students' knowledge and skills in written subjects in high school is based on the following scale:
- Excellent: 19-20 points;
- Very good: 16-18 points;
- Good: 13-15 points;
- Satisfactory: 10-12 points;
- Fail: 1-9 points.
In case of a fail, the student takes exams in early September. A repeated negative result in State schools results in the student staying in the same grade for the second year.
Senior high school (Lyceum).
Students of the Lyceum (10th-12th grades) are children who plan to enter higher education institutions. Education in public lyceums takes place in Greek and in private schools they are mainly taught in English. Graduates of high school in Cyprus are eligible for admission to both Cypriot and Greek Universities, as well as European and American higher education institutions. Education in the lyceum is not mandatory. After graduating from high school, students are entitled to choose a vocational school (Technical school) and obtain a profession.
Lyceum students are allowed to choose the subjects required to enter higher education institutions. As for the control of knowledge and skills, after the 10th grade, lyceum students take exams in four subjects of their chosen specialty. After the 11th and 12th grades, they are tested in five subjects. Graduation certificates are then credited when applying to Universities in Cyprus and Greece.
In private schools, the rules for taking exams are individual for each school. The geography of admission of graduates of private secondary educational institutions is very extensive: European countries, America, Canada and others.
Secondary vocational education (Technical School).
Graduates can apply to the programs of technical schools in Cyprus after successfully passing the final exams of the third grade of high school (9th grade).
Depending on the choice of the course, the following directions are possible:
Professional - Technical education according to the traditional system. As a result, students receive a certificate both in the lyceum and in the profession, subjects that may include:
- Mechanics;
- Electronics;
- Construction;
- Architecture;
- Design;
- Wood processing - furniture making;
- Clothing manufacturing;
- Hairdressing;
- Art specialist.
The duration of study is 3 years, with a technical school certificate, after which entry to university is possible.
Professional training - This direction is designed for students who intend to start working after completing their studies. The course involves 2 years of preparation, theoretical classes plus practical. Payment is made for practical tasks, mainly specialising in:
- Construction - builder etc;
- Car mechanic/auto electrician;
- Caster/welder;
- Plumber;
- Electrician;
- Carpenter;
- Seamstress.
Professional development - Everyone can improve their professional skills and technical knowledge at day and evening technical schools, where it is also possible to master a new specialist pathway.