Nicosia: The Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, Athena Michaelidou, described the Memorandum of Understanding on the pilot introduction of the DELE certificate for learning Spanish as a foreign language in public schools during the 2025-2026 academic year, as a milestone in reinforcing the strong bonds of cooperation between Cyprus and Spain in the field of education. The Minister was addressing the signing ceremony of the Memorandum between the Ministry and the Instituto Cervantes, which took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Michaelidou added that the Memorandum also responds directly to one of the Ministry’s central priorities: promoting plurilingualism, strengthening students’ language competences, and expanding their educational and personal opportunities.
“The introduction of the DELE certification in public schools represents an important step forward. It will offer our students the opportunity to have their Spanish language competences certified through an internationally recognized qualification, fully aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages of the Council of Europe,” she said.
In Cyprus, students already have the opportunity to obtain certification in the two mandatory modern languages taught in public schools, English and French. “The inclusion of Spanish will further broaden their horizons, opening new opportunities for academic and professional advancement, while enriching the teaching and learning process,” the Minister added.
According to the Minister, Spanish is currently offered as an elective course in the upper secondary education. She noted a remarkable increase in the number of students choosing this language over the past three years, adding that this dynamic growth reflects the genuine interest of young people in learning the language and culture of Spain, and confirms that this initiative comes at the right moment.
“I am confident that this Memorandum will not only stand as a symbol of the close friendship between Cyprus and Spain, but also serve as practical tool that will benefit our students, empower our teachers, and strengthen our education system, while opening new pathways of cooperation between our two countries,” Michaelidou concluded.