Education system in Cyprus

How does education in Cyprus differ from the UK?

Although the education systems in Cyprus and the UK are similar, one key difference is that secondary education is split into two parts:

• Lower secondary school (gymnasium)
• Upper school called the lyceum

There are no half-term holidays in Cyprus, and the summer break is three months rather than six weeks. The school

day starts earlier, typically between 7.30am and 8am, and finishes 1.15-2pm. The Cypriot education system is not rated amongst the best on a global scale, yet it is improving. Along with the free state schools – which are Greek-speaking – there are private schools and international schools.

It's also worth noting that home-schooling is not legal in Cyprus and provision for special needs is not as extensive as in Western European countries.

How do I choose a school?

State schools are increasingly offering Greek lessons to help the children of expats catch up and integrate, yet – as per the UK – the quality is widely divergent. Getting recommendations from settled expats is one way of navigating this – check out forums and talk to locals.

It is often easier for younger children to learn the language and adapt to a state school. For older children, the language barrier is often an issue. For those expats who are on transient postings or not sure how long they will stay in a country, international schools can be better.

International schools are better suited to integrating children speaking in different languages, and those who have been schooled elsewhere with an alternative curriculum (although the International Baccalaureate, or IB, is designed to provide easy transferability across borders and provide a very global outlook).

There is a good choice of international schools in the capital, Nicosia, and key examples elsewhere are the International School of Paphos, The American Academy in Limassol, The Heritage Private School in Limassol, The American Academy in Lanarca, the TLC School in Paphos and Xenion High School in Paralimni.

Fees for these private schools tend to be lower than found in the UK independent sector. On the flipside, for families who are settled in Cyprus and intend their children to be so, attending a state school can be a much more effective way of learning the language fluently, and being immersed in Cypriot culture. It really depends on what you prioritise for your child’s future.