Secondary education school year begins in Cyprus
On Monday, September 7, 2026, 41,280 students returned to secondary education classrooms across Cyprus. This includes pupils attending 62 gymnasiums, 36 lyceums, 10 mixed high schools, and 5 evening schools. The system is supported by approximately 7,200 teachers who have been present since September 1, while 890 additional staff manage technical and vocational training institutions.
Education Minister Athina Michailidou, alongside the President of the Republic, marked the occasion by emphasizing the government's commitment to modern, inclusive, and quality education. The ministerial agenda focuses on ongoing reforms, including a new teacher evaluation system, the modernization of special and technical education, and the fostering of critical thinking and democratic values among the youth. While the school year has begun, tensions persist between the Ministry and educational unions regarding the teacher appointment system, with negotiations currently pending an updated proposal from the government.
Elementary schools remain on a different schedule, with teachers expected to report on September 7 and students scheduled to return on September 14. Primary education will serve 52,186 students, including nearly 9,000 first-graders, with an additional 14,398 children enrolled in kindergartens.