Cyprus expands optional all-day primary schools

On June 4, 2026, the Cypriot Council of Ministers approved a proposal by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth to expand the optional all-day primary school program. Starting in September 2026, 60 new units will be added, bringing the total number of such schools from 318 to 378 nationwide. Minister Athena Michaelidou announced that the government aims to cover all primary schools by 2028. The program, which operates until 3:00 or 4:00 p.m., will now be staffed by teachers from official appointment lists rather than through service contracts. Curriculum improvements include an enhanced focus on information technology and the English language, alongside better integration with morning lesson structures. The initiative aims to provide equal learning opportunities across urban and remote areas rather than acting solely as childcare. President Nikos Christodoulides described the move as part of a broader plan for educational reform in the country.