Nicosia: The total number of pupils and students across all levels of education during the 2023/2024 school year increased by 4.7%, reaching 218,129. This marks a rise from the 2022/2023 school year, which recorded 208,374 pupils and students, as reported by the Statistical Service based on the results of the Annual Survey on Education.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the total number of educational institutions in 2023/2024 rose to 1,368 from 1,351 in the previous school year. The number of teachers also saw an increase, reaching 17,298, which is a 5.0% rise compared to 16,475 teachers in 2022/2023.
During the 2023/2024 school year, preschool and pre-primary education witnessed 778 kindergartens and day nurseries operating with 38,931 children, a 4.2% increase from the previous year. In primary education, 361 schools operated with 60,079 pupils, marking a 3.3% rise, while secondary education saw 61,230 students enrolled in 170 schools, a 2.2% increase. Higher Education experienced a notable 9.4% increase, with 59 institutions enrolling 57,889 students.
Additionally, 11 Special Schools operated with 575 pupils and 213 teachers in 2023/2024, compared to the previous year, which had 551 pupils and 211 teachers.
The Service also highlighted financial statistics, noting that public expenditure on education for 2023 amounted to £1,599.2 million, representing 12.1% of the Government Budget and 4.9% of GDP. The previous year's expenditure was £1,445.9 million, accounting for 12.9% of the Government Budget and 4.9% of GDP.
In 2023, current public expenditure per student was £6,413 for preschool and pre-primary education, £8,975 for primary education, £13,232 for General Secondary Education, £15,692 for Technical Secondary Education, and £15,084 for Tertiary Education. The expenditures for 2022 were slightly lower across all categories.