The educational system of Cyprus
Basic
principles of the educational system of Cyprus
Primary Education is the
initial stage of education and has as its basic aim to create, establish and
offer opportunities to all children, regardless of age, gender or country of
origin, to achieve a balanced cognitive, emotional and psychomotor development.
The National Curriculum and
the teaching methodologies adopted in Cyprus Primary Education emphasize the
learning process and focus on strategies which assist pupils in learning how to
learn and in developing their critical and creative thinking.
A basic responsibility of Primary Education is to help pupils become acquainted with their civilization and tradition and to develop respect and love for their national heritage, become aware of their national identity, the Greek language, the Greek Orthodox religion and their history.
At the same time, there is awareness of the multicultural trends which are developing in the modern world. Consequently, Primary Education supports the development of intercultural awareness, tolerance and respect of otherness.
A basic responsibility of Primary Education is to help pupils become acquainted with their civilization and tradition and to develop respect and love for their national heritage, become aware of their national identity, the Greek language, the Greek Orthodox religion and their history.
At the same time, there is awareness of the multicultural trends which are developing in the modern world. Consequently, Primary Education supports the development of intercultural awareness, tolerance and respect of otherness.
Working hours
Lessons in primary and Pre-Primary schools start at 7:45 a.m. and finish at 1:05 p.m. In all-day primary and Pre-Primary schools lessons continue until 4:00 p.m.
Lessons in primary and Pre-Primary schools start at 7:45 a.m. and finish at 1:05 p.m. In all-day primary and Pre-Primary schools lessons continue until 4:00 p.m.
Teachers arrive at school at
least 15 minutes before lessons start and leave after lessons finish, given
that they take all necessary actions for all the pupils to leave the school
safe.
Each school declares in the local District Office the day which is considered to be the local feast of the Saint of the community/parish.
School holidays
The school holidays for the schools of Primary Education are:
The school holidays for the schools of Primary Education are:
- 1st of October
- 28th of October
- 23rd of December – 6th of January
- 30th of January
- 25th of March
- 1st of April
- 1st of May
- 11th of June
- Green Monday
- Good Monday – Friday after Easter Week
- Ascension
- Holy Spirit
- Archbishop’s name day
- Feast of the Saint of community/parish
Each school declares in the local District Office the day which is considered to be the local feast of the Saint of the community/parish.
Summer
holidays
- From Saturday after the penultimate Friday of June up to the Sunday before the first Monday of September (for the teachers).
- From Thursday before the penultimate Friday of June up to the Wednesday after the first Monday of September (for the pupils).
Timetable
The daily teaching time of primary schools is six forty minute periods and one 35 minute period. There are also three breaks during the day, 45 minutes total duration. Collecting the school savings bank takes is undertaken by the teaching staff once a week. This procedure takes place 15 minutes before lessons start and is included in the timetable.
The timetable of all the primary schools and all the grades is common.
The daily teaching time of primary schools is six forty minute periods and one 35 minute period. There are also three breaks during the day, 45 minutes total duration. Collecting the school savings bank takes is undertaken by the teaching staff once a week. This procedure takes place 15 minutes before lessons start and is included in the timetable.
The timetable of all the primary schools and all the grades is common.
Pupil uniform
The teaching staff of the school, in cooperation with the Parents’ Association discuss the matter concerning the school uniform and come to a decision. The Ministry of Education and Culture - after consultations with the Pancyprian Parents’ Association for Primary Schools - has sent a circular suggesting a number of formal uniforms which schools can choose from.
During the winter months (December, January and February) pupils are allowed to wear a cotton grey or blue tracksuit. Girls can also wear a skirt with thick tights or trousers of the same color with that of the boys.
Both boys and girls have to wear ordinary black shoes but not athletic shoes. They can wear athletic shoes only during the lesson of Physical Education and sport activities. When pupils go to church or have a formal celebration or ceremony they have to wear the formal school uniform
The teaching staff of the school, in cooperation with the Parents’ Association discuss the matter concerning the school uniform and come to a decision. The Ministry of Education and Culture - after consultations with the Pancyprian Parents’ Association for Primary Schools - has sent a circular suggesting a number of formal uniforms which schools can choose from.
During the winter months (December, January and February) pupils are allowed to wear a cotton grey or blue tracksuit. Girls can also wear a skirt with thick tights or trousers of the same color with that of the boys.
Both boys and girls have to wear ordinary black shoes but not athletic shoes. They can wear athletic shoes only during the lesson of Physical Education and sport activities. When pupils go to church or have a formal celebration or ceremony they have to wear the formal school uniform
