The State Institutes of Further Education (KIE) have seen enrolments decline by almost a quarter over the past six years, highlighting the challenges facing the state's low-cost alternative to private tutoring.
Figures obtained by Politis from the Ministry of Education show that enrolments fell from 12,600 in the 2019-20 school year to 9,482 in 2025-26, a drop of 3,118 students, or 24.7%.
One in four enrolments lost
The decline has not been linear.
Enrolments fell from 12,600 in 2019-20 to 8,681 during the pandemic-hit 2020-21 school year, before dropping further to 7,749 in 2021-22.
The lowest point came in 2022-23, when just 6,921 enrolments were recorded.
Numbers then recovered to 9,420 in 2023-24, dipped again to 8,726 in 2024-25, and rose to 9,482 in 2025-26.
While enrolments have partially recovered from their pandemic-era lows, the system remains well below pre-pandemic levels, with almost one in every four enrolments recorded in 2019-20 still missing.
Non-Cypriot adults helping sustain numbers
A significant increase in the number of non-Cypriot adults studying Greek has helped offset some of the decline.
In 2019-20, there were 1,399 non-Cypriot adult learners enrolled in Greek-language courses, representing around 11% of all enrolments.
The number rose to:
- 1,817 in 2020-21
- 1,980 in 2022-23
- 2,518 in 2024-25
- 2,368 in 2025-26
These students now account for roughly 25% of all enrolments, while the ministry estimates the figure could rise to around 2,700 in 2026-27.
Officials say this underlines the growing role of KIE in teaching Greek and supporting the integration of people living in Cyprus.
Student enrolments have fallen more sharply
The rise in Greek-language learners masks a much steeper decline elsewhere.
Excluding non-Cypriot adults studying Greek, enrolments fell from 11,201 in 2019-20 to 7,114 in 2025-26, a decrease of 36.5%.
While this figure includes more than just school-age students, it suggests a considerably larger contraction in the institutes' traditional educational activities.
A low-cost alternative
The decline comes despite KIE remaining one of the most affordable education options available.
Annual tuition fees range from €225 to €385, while preparation courses for the Pancyprian Examinations cost €410.
Scholarships, fee reductions and exemptions are also available for vulnerable groups.
Students can enrol in:
- English
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Italian
- Russian
- Turkish
- Information Technology
- Accounting
- Secondary-school support classes
- Pancyprian examination preparation
More than tutoring
Founded in 1959-60, KIE serves both children and adults in urban and rural areas.
Today, 46 institutes operate across the government-controlled areas of Cyprus.
Their objectives include promoting lifelong learning, supporting students with learning difficulties, reducing school failure rates and providing Greek-language education to non-native speakers.
Search for a revival
The Ministry of Education is examining ways to strengthen and modernise the institution.
It is awaiting an evaluation study from the Centre for Educational Research and Evaluation, while considering a series of reforms that include:
- New operating regulations.
- Digital transformation.
- Online registration and payment systems.
- Upgraded websites.
- Stronger promotion of the programme.
- Review of tuition fees.
- Distance and hybrid learning options for remote areas.
The plans are in place. The challenge now is whether they can bring back the thousands of enrolments the institutes have lost in recent years.
