1. The Educational System of Cyprus – Teaching and Teachers in Cyprus

2. Education in Cyprus The Historical Perspective . The Independence Era
Main features of our Educational System
Teachers and teaching in Cyprus
The ongoing educational reform .

3. Education in Cyprus The Historical Perspective
1959; First Educational Board – Establishment of the 8year school (pilot plan)
The Post - Independence Era ( today)
1960 – 1965 Education was up to the two Communities and not the Government’s responsibilty (Greek and Turkish Communal Chamber respectively)
1962; Education for Primary Education was free and compulsory
1965; Following the political discourse the Ministry of Education was established for the first time.
1972; Free and compulsory education for Secondary Education (Gymnasium)
1977; Emphasis on Kindergarten Education.

4. Our educational system; main features
Pre – primary education; (from age 4,8/12 compulsory)
Primary Education (ages 6-12, compulsory / 7:45-13:05)
KA (Circle A) – (ages 6-9)
KB (Circle B) – (ages 10-12)
Secondary Education
Gymnasium – Compulsory (ages 13-15)
Lyceum (ages 16-18)
Higher Education (Public and Private Universities)

5. Our educational system; main features
Centralized educational system (top – down)
Dept. of Primary Education; determines formal educational policy
Primary Education Department - Director
District Educational Office: carries out the educational objectives
School Inspectors: act both as teachers’ advisors and evaluators
Principal – Head/Deputies (according to school size)
Teachers (Permanent staff, SEN teachers, therapists)

6. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND CULTURE
MINISTER
PERMANENT SECRETARY
(GENERAL DIRECTOR)
ADMINISTRATION
PLANNING
REGISTRY
ACCOUNTS
OFFICE
EU & INTER-NATIONAL AFFAIRS
PEDAGOGICAL
INSTITUTE
CENTRE OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND EVALUATION
CULTURAL
SERVICES
OTHER
AND UNITS
PRIMARY
EDUCATION
SECONDARY
HIGHER AND
TERTIARY
TECHNICAL
AND VOCATIONAL
COUNSELING AND CAREER EDUCATION SERVICE
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT UNIT
EDUCATIONAL PSYCOLOGY
SERVICE
SCHOOL CLERKS UNIT
CYPRUS RESEARCH CENTRE

7. Our educational system; main features
Main sources of support for our school
Ministry of Education; textbooks, working books, extra time and teachers for (a) disadvantaged pupils, (b) pupils with learning difficulties, (c) pupils from other countries
Professional Development; the Ministry of Education and especially the Paedagogical Institute with various seminars
District or Municipality Education Board (elected by the people). The District Education Board provides / allocates the money for matters related with school buildings and well being of the teachers/pupils within our schools

9. PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION
Its importance is recognised by the Government
Since 2004, it is compulsory and free for one year prior to attending the primary school
Three types of pre-primary institutions: public, community and private

10. PRIMARY EDUCATION Six-year free and compulsory
Teacher salaries paid by the Government
Annual grants to School Boards
Schools in every town and village with 15+ pupils
Pupil/teacher ratio 17:1
Class size: Grade 1-5: 25 pupils maximum, Grade 6: 30 pupils maximum

11. SECONDARY EDUCATION LOWER (GYMNASIUM) UPPER (LYCEUM) UNIFIED LYCEUM
Basic general education that is compulsory for three years
Efforts to upgrade the Gymnasium according to the demands of the society
UPPER (LYCEUM)
UNIFIED LYCEUM
Provides education in line with modern trends in education and in particular those of Europe
TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Quite substantial contribution to the economic and industrial development of Cyprus

12. HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION
Operation and expansion of the three public universities (University of Cyprus, Open University of Cyprus and Technological University of Cyprus)
Public schools of Higher Education
Programmes offered can be accredited by the Council of Educational Evaluation and Accreditation
Upgrading of private schools of tertiary education and establishment of private universities

13. Teachers status / working conditions in Cyprus
Teachers are appointed by the Educational Authority Committee
The number of teachers used to be based on running needs / Shortage of teachers prior
Today; primary teachers overload
Teachers are eligible to be promoted for Head/Deputy after 12 years of teaching experience. They get an evaluation from the school inspector every 2 years.
Promotion is mostly based on the available seats, the evaluation they get from the school inspector, the years of experience and any extra post-graduate diplomas they possess (MA or PhD).
Teachers are transferred based on the “transfer points” they are getting during their teaching years. So, the most they get, the most likely for them to work near their homes. To earn “transfer points” they have to work at distant places.
Teachers were considerably well paid for their professional work; however, today the economic crisis had an essential effect on teacher salaries

14. Teachers status / working conditions in Cyprus
Cyprus’ Teachers’ working time;
7:30 am – 13:05 p.m.
Once a week there is a staff meeting
Teachers’ teaching time;
It is related to the years of teaching experience; from Y1 till Y14 teachers teach 29 periods (1 period;40 minutes), from Y15 till Y20 they teach 27, more than 20 they teach 25.
Deputies have to teach 23 periods and Principals from 8-14 (regarding the type of school)
Curriculum - Textbooks;
Since Independence Cyprus has developed its own curriculum.
In some subjects i.e. Language, we use Greek textbooks, in others - i.e. Math, Science, Geography - we use textbooks provided by our Ministry of Education.
There is no policy for using non-government textbooks.
There are a lot of activities involved in everyday school work i.e. European Projects (i.e. Comenius), Environmental projects, Health and Safety Programs, Health Education Activities, etc