1. Cyprus Education Case: Democratic procedures which lead to inequality results
Dr. Stefanos Spaneas
Wednesday,
2015

2. Cyprus Demographics* Total Population: 838.897 (0.2% of EU)
non Cypriots
* (CyStat 2011) 2

3. Migration Statistical Details
Regional analysis of the percentage of non Cypriots
Region
Nationality
Total
Cypriot
Other Fx %
Nicosia
100
81,1
61.535
18,9
Famagousta
46.452
37.016
79,7
9.436
20,3
Larnaca
79,6
29.264
20,4
Limasol
79,4
48.520
20,6
Paphos
57.474
65,1
30.792
34,9
78.6
21,4
REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS, STATISTICAL SERVICE, 29/12/2011)
2015

4. Third Country Nationals Ways of Entrance
2015

5. Cyprus Education System
The Ministry of Education and Culture (MoEC) denotes responsibility for educational policy and development of Greek-Cypriot schools as well as the private schools (MoEC, 2014).
MoEC is accountable for the development of educational policy, implementation of educational rulings and the preparation of educational bills.
The educational system of Cyprus is divided into three levels:
Primary Education,
Secondary Education and
Tertiary Education.

6. Cyprus Education System
Primary education lasts six years and is attended by children aged 6 years old and above.
The most significant aim is the balanced development of the students’ personality.
Secondary education, public and private, prepares students for either academic and/or professional life
Primarily focus is given on the development of healthy and moral personalities and the creation of able, democratic and law abiding citizens.
Public Secondary Education provides two cycles of education (each of three years) –
Gymnasium, which completes the nine year compulsory education, and Lyceum

7. Panorama of Cyprus Education system

8. Educational rights and obligations
Children under the age of 18 years have the right to study in public educational institutions irrespective of their residence status, their nationality, and/or their parents origin or legal status.
By law, parents are obligated to register their children at a school within their educational district, independently of whether they legally reside in Cyprus or not.
The policies and regulations of schools apply equally to all students.
Public primary and secondary education is free for all students and the language of instruction is Greek.
The aim of education is the creation of a democratically organised school system which highlights the individuality and the multicultural nature of our society as an element for composition, celebration and creativity as well as an opportunity for mutual understanding and mutual respect.

9. Cyprus Reality: something is NOT working
High percentage of early drop rate (from primary level)
Language barrier - children cannot actively participate to the primary and/or secondary educational system
They are accepted as ‘observers’.
Tertiary education:
Entrance to Public universities through Pancyprian exams in GREEK language (proficiency level).
Entrance to Private Universities (selection of Greek or English Language teaching courses) – who is going to pay the fees?
Lack of education inclusive strategy for migrants
Lack of systematic scholarship system

10. Refugees Welcome Map

11. Contact details Questions, ideas, comments ... are welcome !
Dr. Stefanos Spaneas
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Social Work Programme
Department of Social Sciences
University of Nicosia
Tel.: