School System

The Cypriot Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for the education of 3-year old children and over (-18) but compulsory schooling in Cyprus is from the age of 5 to 15 years old. However, the majority of Cypriot students finish Lyceum and proceed to College or University level studies.
The education offered in Cypriot public Schools is structured as follows:
1.    Primary Education:
Pre-primary schools: Ages 3-6 and Primary schools: (grades -6, ages 6-12)
The fundamental principle of defining the aims of Pre-Primary and Primary Education in Cyprus has always been the harmonious development of the personality of children. This is believed to be achieved under conditions which help children acquire knowledge, develop attitudes and foster skills, in situations in which they are encouraged to face the unceasing changing world in a responsible way (Annual Report 2010, Ministry of Education and Culture).
2.    Secondary Education:
Secondary Schools: Gymnasiums (grades 1-3, ages 12-15) and Unified Lyceums or Technical/Vocational Schools (grades 4-6, ages 15-18).The Gymnasium is a complete three- year cycle of general education focused on humanistic education and supplements the general education offered in Primary Education. The Unified Lyceum, introduced in 2001, offers obligatory common core subjects for all pupils, and optional subjects. Common core subjects offer general education, multi-faceted development and acquisition of general skills, which are required by the contemporary realities. All subjects in the first grade of Lyceum are common core subjects. Later on, pupils attend common core lessons and at the same time choose optional subjects for systematic and in depth study of subjects which interest them (Annual Report 2010, Ministry of Education and Culture).
For more information in regards to the Cypriot Education System please visit the web page of the Cypriot Ministry of Education http://www.moec.gov.cy/etisia-ekthesi/index.html for the annual reports.