The number of all-day schools in Cyprus is increasing to 381 following a decision by the Council of Ministers, Education, Sports and Youth Minister Athena Michaelidou said after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.
Michaelidou said the programme has grown significantly from 220 schools in 2023, describing of all-day schools as one of the Government’s most important initiatives in education.
“This is an institution that serves families as well as schools,” she said, adding that it provides opportunities to develop students’ skills and promote the Government’s vision for a skills-based school system.
The minister said 60 new of all-day schools are operating this year, while three additional schools were approved by the Cabinet on an exceptional basis because of special circumstances.
These are the kindergarten in Dasaki Achnas, the Third Primary School in Deryneia and the Primary School in Souni-Zanatzia. The first two operate in remote areas, while the Souni-Zanatzia school is located in an area affected by wildfires.
Investment reaches €6 million
Michaelidou said the Government’s investment in the programme has also increased substantially, reaching around €6 million.
She stressed that the expansion was not limited to increasing the number of schools but also involved improving the quality of the programme.
Teachers working in of all-day schools now have contracts and are appointed through the Educational Service Commission, while detailed curricula have also been introduced.
“This is not simply a place where children are kept,” Michaelidou said, stressing that lessons are taught under a structured programme with monitoring and evaluation.
The afternoon programme is also linked to the morning school, with school principals given time to supervise the afternoon operation. Inspectors also monitor and evaluate the programme.
Changes to teachers’ appointment system
Asked about the Register of Appointed Teachers and calls for its extension, Michaelidou said the Government was not ending discussions but was instead seeking to improve the existing legislation.
The current legislation provides for the abolition of the register, under which graduates could submit their qualifications after completing their studies. Michaelidou said around 40,000 teachers are currently included in the system.
She recalled that a transitional period had been decided in 2017, giving candidates time to prepare for a system under which teachers would enter through examinations from 2027.
However, she said the Government was addressing weaknesses in the legislation because too few candidates were passing the existing examination, creating concerns over whether there would be enough teachers to appoint.
The ministry is working on two fronts: improving the examination and changing the criteria for entry.
Michaelidou said previous teaching experience would be recognised through a closed register giving priority to those who have worked in schools in recent years. A separate examination-based ranking would also be created.
She stressed that appointment and permanent employment were separate matters, with permanent positions awarded only through the examination process.
The minister added that the Education Ministry was open to concerns and proposals from teachers’ organisations and had already scheduled meetings with them starting this week.
Primary schools to open on 14 September
Regarding concerns from parents about childcare arrangements before the start of the new school year, Michaelidou said the opening dates were determined by legislation and regulations.
Primary school pupils will return on the second Monday of September, which this year falls on 14 September.
She said the state provides other options for families, including upgraded and expanded Summer Schools and clubs operated in cooperation with local authorities.
Michaelidou also said that, from an educational perspective, children should not spend all their time in a school environment during the summer, but should also have time with their parents and grandparents.
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