The Cypriot Government ensures that children from other EU countries continue their education whilst they are in Cyprus. For that reason alone, children with other native languages who do not speak Greek, can receive special educational lessons in this language so they are able to attend a state school. The measures being implemented provide children with intensive tuition in Greek to facilitate their gradual integration into school and also provide training for teachers to enable them to respond adequately to the teaching of pupils from other language backgrounds.
More then 30 private secondary schools are widely available, these cater for four main languages, Greek, English, French and Russian. These have all been approved by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus. These schools vary in price but the majority of them cost between 2,000 and 3,000 CYP.
Pre-school Education
This is offered by Greek language state schools, Greek language private schools and private schools operating in the four languages mentioned above. This is provided for children aged from 4 - 5 years old and attendance is compulsory. Private nursery school costs from 70 CYP to 150 CYP per child per month, the cost at the state schools is lower. There are also private and state child care centres for children up to three years of age.
Primary Education
This is provided free of charge at state schools for children aged from 5-11 years old. The only criteria for entry into one of these schools is age. From the 2006-2007 school year, proof of pre-school attendance will be required for enrolment in primary education. The school year is divided into three terms each consisting of three months, with attendance on five days of the week. The system of all day attendance is being extended to primary schools from pre-school. There are also a few private schools in Cyprus, these are mainly English language schools but also on offer are French and Russian.
Lower Secondary
This education is provided free of charge for children from 11-15 years old. Children are admitted to lower secondary education on the criterion of age and subject to having a primary school leaving certificate. The school year is divided into three terms of three months, with attendance on five days of the week. There are also private English language and French language lower secondary schools.
Upper Secondary
This is provided free of charge for children between 15-18 years of age. At this level too, the school year is made up of three terms consisting of three months each term, with a five day attendance. Pupils who wish to be trained in a technical occupation can attend a special Technical School. Once again there are also English and French speaking private schools in this sector.
Cyprus also has the world famous University of Cyprus, private colleges and schools as well as state training institutions such as the Higher Technical Institute, the Forestry College and the Higher Hotel Institute et al.
Specific information on any of the above can be obtained from the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus.