Three bills aimed at overhauling key areas of Cyprus' education system will be submitted to parliament this autumn, Education, Sport and Youth Minister Athena Michaelidou said on Wednesday, outlining the government's next phase of education reforms.
The legislation will cover special education, the teacher recruitment system, and the establishment of Sports Schools and Music Schools as recognised institutions.
Improving quality
Speaking after her first meeting with the newly constituted House Education Committee, Michaelidou said the government remained committed to improving the quality of public education through reforms that address longstanding issues.
"We are here with a genuine commitment to improve public schools," she said, adding that the reforms are intended to provide every child with equal opportunities in an inclusive education system.
The minister said consultations with teachers' organisations on changes to the teacher recruitment register are expected to conclude by the end of July. She acknowledged that the final proposals would not satisfy all stakeholders but said the government was taking all views into account.
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On school infrastructure, Michaelidou said the government aims to have air conditioning operating safely in all secondary schools by September. Installation has already been completed in kindergartens, while work is continuing in a number of primary schools.
"All schools will have air conditioning," she said, adding that the remaining challenge is completing the necessary electrical inspections to ensure the systems can operate safely.
Michaelidou also said around 90% of school staffing for the new academic year has already been completed and expressed confidence that schools would open smoothly in September.
She announced that Technical Gymnasiums will be established in Limassol and Paphos, with Larnaca to follow, and noted that enrolment interest in technical education has doubled.
Special education
On special education, the minister said the existing framework contains "major distortions" and that the planned reforms are based on international research. The proposed changes include more personalised education programmes, improved assessment procedures and enhanced support for children with disabilities, in cooperation with the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education.
Regarding teacher recruitment, Michaelidou said the government was working with the Legal Service to develop a system combining examination performance with teaching experience while remaining fully compliant with the law. She confirmed that the existing appointment register will be abolished in 2027, while transitional arrangements will continue for those already listed.
During the committee meeting, MPs raised concerns over overcrowded schools, ageing infrastructure, school safety, violence and delinquency, and the need for additional educational psychologists. Particular concerns were expressed over school capacity in Paphos and Limassol.
House Education Committee chairman Chrysanthos Savvidis said special education reform would require careful scrutiny by both parliament and the ministry, while several MPs stressed the importance of addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges alongside legislative reforms.
Source: CNA
