Nicosia: A total of 41,280 secondary education students have returned to their schools on September 7 following the summer holidays. Teachers in secondary education had resumed duties from September 1, ensuring that the schools were ready for the students' return.
According to Cyprus News Agency, primary education teachers are scheduled to report back to their schools on September 7, while primary school students are set to commence their academic year on September 14, as stipulated by the relevant legislation. The primary education sector will see 52,186 students, including 8,919 first-graders, attending schools, while 14,398 children are expected to enroll in kindergartens.
For the 2026-2027 school year, the secondary education sector will operate with 62 Gymnasiums, 36 Lyceums, 10 six-year schools, and five evening schools. The teaching staff in Secondary General Education is estimated to be 7,200, while Secondary Technical and Vocational Education (MTEE) will have 890 teaching staff.
The figures for the same school year indicate that 328 primary schools and 274 kindergartens will be operational. The primary schools will employ 5,232 teaching staff, and kindergartens will have 1,135 teaching staff members.
In a message marking the start of the academic year, Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, Athena Michaelidou, highlighted the significance of the new school year as a period of learning, creativity, and personal development. She emphasized the role of schools and universities as dynamic spaces fueled by the presence and aspirations of students and educators.
Michaelidou expressed the ministry's commitment to strengthening the social and national role of education by promoting values such as freedom, democracy, and peace. She acknowledged the essential contributions of educational and academic communities in driving these changes and expressed gratitude for their efforts in shaping education.
Addressing students, the Minister encouraged them to embrace their educational journey as a creative process that builds their personality with lasting values and knowledge.