Cyprus is an island nation located in the Eastern Mediterranean, which provides an excellent and wide range of educational system serving both domestic and foreign students. The system has been broken up into a number of stages, each of them being aimed at offering all-around experiences to the students so that they can graduate to the next stage of education and, sooner or later, a professional career. This guide is intended to give expats a comprehensive general image of the education system in Cyprus. And the key issues involved in the education system, such as the primary cycles of studies, the process of enrollment, language needs, and the existence of public, private and online schools.
What are the principal phases of education in Cyprus
The Cypriot education system is grouped into four basic stages: Pre-primary education, Primary education, Secondary education, and Higher education. Every stage is formulated to suit the development requirements of students at different age levels and to prepare them ready to the subsequent grade of learning.
Pre-primary Education
Cyprus Pre-primary education is offered to children between 3-5 years. It emphasizes on the overall growth of the children that are in terms of physical, emotional, social and cognitive. Although it is not mandatory, the government offers free pre-primary education at public schools.
Primary Education
Primary education is compulsory and serves the children aged between 6 and 11. It offers a wide ranging education that includes disciplines such as Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Art and Greek language. The second language that is introduced is English.
Secondary education
Secondary schooling consists of two phases: Gymnasium (lower secondary), in which learners between the ages of 12 and 15 are enrolled. And Lyceum (upper secondary) in which learners between 16 and 18 are enrolled. There are the core subjects and the electives provided in this curriculum, and it aims at preparing the students to transition to higher education or technical training.
Cyprus higher education
Cyprus has a couple of options of higher education which include universities and colleges. The Cypriot universities provide courses of degrees of undergraduate and graduate level of various subjects such as engineering, medicine, law and humanities.
To gain access to tertiary education in Cyprus, learners have to do the Pancyprian Examinations. The topics included in the exams are mathematics, language, social studies and natural sciences.
Cyprus Higher education comprises universities and colleges, which provide undergraduate, postgraduate as well as doctoral education. There are a number of globally recognised institutions in the country, which makes it host students worldwide.
Selecting the right school for your Child
The following are some of the factors to put into consideration when selecting a school that your child can attend in Northern Cyprus:
Curriculum: Choose the best curriculum that would meet the academic needs of your child and their future goals.
Language of Instruction: You may have to decide whether you would like your child to study English, Turkish or both.
Location: Find a school that is near the family.
Tuition Fees: Take into account the school fees as well as other related expenses.
School Amenities: Visit the school amenities, i.e. school rooms, libraries, playing fields, and technological facilities.
Reputation of School: Find out about the reputation of the school and its academic record.
Needs of your Child: It is important to consider the learning style, areas of interest, as well as any unique needs your child might have.
Syllabus and Qualifications
Cyprus schools are national schools with national curriculum supervised by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The curriculum encompasses, mathematics, science, social and language, and physical education.
Upon finishing upper secondary education, students have the option of sitting the Pancyprian Examinations, which are standardised tests that qualify students to higher education.
Hours and holidays of the School
In Cyprus school hours depend on the level of education. The daily hours of classes by primary school students and secondary school students are normally five hours and six hours respectively.
The Cypriot school calendar has three terms, starting in September and finishing in June. Learners take a one-week holiday in October, a two-week Christmas holiday, a one-week holiday in February and a two-week holiday during Easter.
Enrollment process
To be enrolled in a school in Cyprus, the students should submit a birth certificate, evidence of address, a health certificate and a photo. Students who move into the school after studying in another school are also expected to produce a transfer certificate. Enrollment in the more prestigious schools in Cyprus has a lot of competition, especially in the urban centres.
Overseas schools in Cyprus
In Cyprus, a number of international schools can be found that teach in English or other languages, which is of interest to the expat families. They are schools that generally operate according to their home countries curriculum and they provide certification in the form of the International Baccalaureate (IB) or the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).
Conclusion
It can be concluded that the education system in Cyprus is, overall, of high quality. Primary and lower secondary education is compulsory till 15 years of age. The schools are run on the basis of a national curriculum, which is monitored by the Ministry of Education and Culture, with qualifications that allow students entry into higher education. Depending on the intensity of the level of education, school time and holidays differ, and the school enrollment is competitive. Cyprus has a number of international schools where the expat family can get English-speaking or other language education. Lastly, Cyprus has Universities and colleges that provide undergraduate and post-graduate programs on various courses.
You can also view these posts:
Things to know before immigrating to Cyprus
Cyprus immigration quotas and caps – what you need to know
Cost of living in Cyprus
