The first school bell of the new academic year will ring for secondary school pupils in Cyprus on Monday, with a total of 41,280 students expected to attend public secondary schools during the 2026-27 school year.
Teachers in secondary education have already returned to schools, having reported for duty on 1 September.
The secondary school population is expected to comprise 23,270 pupils in gymnasiums, 17,710 in lyceums and 300 in evening schools.
A total of 108 school units are expected to operate in secondary general education, including 62 gymnasiums, 36 lyceums, 10 six-year schools and five evening schools.
The number of teachers in secondary general education is estimated at 7,200 for the new school year.
Technical and vocational education
In secondary technical and vocational education and training (MTEEΚ), the teaching staff will number 890.
The system will include 11 Technical and Vocational Education and Training Schools (TESEK), as well as five mixed schools combining lyceum and TESEK provision in Polis Chrysochous, Empa, Omodos, Agros and Solea.
Six evening technical vocational schools will also operate in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Famagusta, Paphos and Polis Chrysochous.
MTEEK programmes will additionally be offered at the Prisons School and at special schools.
The Vocational Education and Training Apprenticeship System will operate in Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos, providing preparatory apprenticeship and core apprenticeship programmes.
The number of pupils attending TESEK schools is expected to reach 5,150.
Primary school pupils return on 14 September
In primary education, 52,186 pupils are expected to attend schools during the 2026-27 academic year, including 8,919 children starting their first year of primary school.
A further 14,398 children are expected to attend kindergartens.
The figures include 328 primary schools and 274 kindergartens, with 5,232 teachers working in primary schools and 1,135 in kindergartens.
Primary school teachers will report for duty on Monday, 7 September, while pupils will return on 14 September, in accordance with the relevant legislation.
Minister highlights modern and inclusive education
Education, Sport and Youth Minister Athena Michaelidou, in a message marking the start of the 2026-27 school and academic year, said the beginning of each new year marked the start of a period of learning, creativity and personal development.
She said the return of pupils and students to schools and universities represented a major responsibility for the state, with the aim of ensuring a safe, well-functioning and high-quality educational environment capable of supporting the goals of the younger generation.
According to Michaelidou, the government was continuing with reforms, innovation and efforts to address long-standing issues, while maintaining a focus on the human-centred dimension of education.
She said the authorities were modernising teaching and learning environments, rationalising and enriching the curriculum with new subjects, upgrading school buildings and making greater use of technological developments.
The minister also highlighted the use of evidence-based educational tools aimed at encouraging active participation, fostering curiosity and developing critical thinking through experiential learning.
The goal, she said, was to create a modern, high-quality and inclusive school that would be effective, a source of joy and creativity, and capable of broadening pupils' horizons while recognising and strengthening individual and collective effort.
Education's wider social role
Michaelidou also stressed the wider social and national role of education, saying it should promote the values of freedom, democracy and peace, draw on history and contribute to the future.
She said the government was continuing to invest in higher education and strengthening universities as centres of knowledge and development for society and the economy.
This included supporting their operation and research activity, as well as internationalisation and outward engagement, with the aim of producing skilled scientists able to contribute to the country's progress and to the wider international community.
The minister described the educational and academic communities as key participants and protagonists in the process of change, thanking teachers and academics for their contribution to education in Cyprus.
Addressing pupils directly, she urged them to approach their educational journey with an open mind and respect for others, make use of the opportunities available to them, and explore and experiment.
She also encouraged pupils to uphold the values of humanity, solidarity, constructive cooperation, democracy and justice.
“Good luck to everyone,” she said, as the new school year gets under way.
Source: CNA
