Nearly one in four enrolments at Cyprus state institutes has been lost over the past six years, as the significantly cheaper public alternative to private tuition struggles to regain its former popularity.
Private tutoring remains an integral part of education in Cyprus and represents a significant expense for thousands of families. The State Institutes of Further Education (KIE) offer a more affordable alternative, providing foreign language courses, supplementary tuition and preparation for the Pancyprian Examinations at considerably lower fees.
Despite this, enrolments at Cyprus state institutes are now almost 25% lower than they were six years ago.
Enrolments down by more than 3,000
According to Politis newspaper, 12,600 people were enrolled at the institutes during the 2019-2020 academic year. By 2025-2026, that number had fallen to 9,482.
This represents a loss of 3,118 enrolments over six years, or 24.7%.
The decline has not been continuous, however, with substantial fluctuations recorded during the period.
From 12,600 enrolments in 2019-2020, the figure fell to around 8,000 in 2020-2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, before declining further to 7,749 in 2021-2022. Enrolments reached their lowest point in 2022-2023, at just 6,921.
A significant recovery followed, with enrolments rising to 9,420 in 2023-2024. They fell again to 8,726 the following academic year before recovering to 9,482 in 2025-2026, still well below pre-pandemic levels.
Concerns over declining enrolments are not new. Problems affecting the institutes were raised in parliament as early as 2021, when discussion focused on falling enrolment numbers and a reduction in the number of classes operating.
Non-Cypriot adults help offset decline
One area has moved sharply in the opposite direction: enrolments among non-Cypriot adults attending the institutes to learn Greek.
According to Education Ministry figures, 1,399 non-Cypriot adults were enrolled in 2019-2020, accounting for around 11% of all registrations. For the new academic year, their number is already estimated at approximately 2,700.
The figures highlight the role Cyprus state institutes play in Greek-language learning and the social integration of people living in Cyprus.
They are also helping to offset the wider decline. Excluding this group, other enrolments fell from 11,201 in 2019-2020 to 7,114 in 2025-2026, representing a decrease of 36.5%.
Fees remain considerably lower than private tuition
The decline comes despite the relatively low cost of attending the institutes.
Annual fees range from €225 to €385, while courses during the Pancyprian Examinations period cost €410.
The institutes offer a broad range of subjects, from foreign languages to supplementary lessons for students attending lower secondary schools, lyceums and technical schools.
Institutes have operated for more than 65 years
The role of the State Institutes of Further Education extends beyond supplementary tuition for schoolchildren.
The institution has operated since the 1959-1960 academic year and provides education for both children and adults in urban and rural areas.
There are currently 46 institutes operating across all districts of Cyprus, continuing their wider role in lifelong learning.
Also read: Complaint ends Bangladesh’s UNFICYP Commander term in Cyprus
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
