Students of gymnasiums, lyceums and technical schools all across Cyprus on Wednesday returned to class after the summer holidays. Elementary level students return to school on Monday.
Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou told state radio all is ready for the new school year and that works on school facilities were promptly carried out.
In fact, several projects were completed for 20 to 25 schools out of 700 during the school year, he added.
Prodromou also said his Ministry’s plans include expansion of state-provided free pre-school education for children from the age of four. And that it hopes to implement this in the following school year 2023-2024.
However, children can be registered for pre-school from the age of four and a half from this year. This will gradually be lowered to four and four months, and finally just four years old.
The minister added that primary school pupils will be tested from early on to detect any learning difficulties and beyond.
Prodromou also said his Ministry is implementing a pilot programme for the use of air purifiers in 100 classrooms this year.
These are portable devices and don’t require any infrastructural intervention, he added.
In addition, the Ministry is in constant communicaton with the Health Ministry with regards to any measures to be decided around the pandemic. No protective masks or rapid tests are required this school year.
