in-cyprus 25 August 2025 - by Evangelia Sizopoulou
Cyprus is implementing a comprehensive education system overhaul as the 2025-26 academic year begins, with Education Minister Athena Michaelidou describing this year as “decisive” for evaluating innovations already introduced.
The minister told Filenews that “for two and a half years we have been implementing a comprehensive redesign of our education system with steady, scientific and careful steps to avoid gaps and problems that often accompanied past innovations”.
Curriculum reduction leads changes
A major curriculum reduction and updating programme represents a “strategic choice that puts substantial knowledge at the centre rather than rote learning,” Minister Michaelidou explained.
“We have already succeeded in having a concise and necessary curriculum in all subjects. Some subjects require further serious curriculum reduction so more space can be given to skills development, critical thinking and creativity,” she stated.
The reform enjoys clear government political will with support from academics, inspectors and educators, the minister added.
Technical gymnasium pilot launches
A new Technical Gymnasium will operate for the first time on a pilot basis this year, described as an educational innovation that has received positive reception from Europe. The programme aims to connect schools with the labour market and familiarise children early with technical professions and new technologies.
“Our goal is for school to connect with real-life needs,” the minister explained.
New subjects emphasise life skills
New topics have been integrated into the timetable with emphasis on cultivating life skills in children. Financial education extends to all gymnasium classes and introduces to primary schools. Citizenship Education returns to all levels from preschool age through lyceum and technical schools to promote active citizenship values and skills.
Work Week returns to lyceums, creating another channel connecting education with the labour market and developing professional experience opportunities for students. Social education receives enhancement through new topics including fire safety.
“We want children to gain experiences, cultivate culture on fundamental issues and acquire citizen consciousness and readiness for today’s needs and shaping tomorrow,” Minister Michaelidou stated.
All-day school structure expanded
The all-day school programme is not treated merely as a social provision but represents an educational structure in primary and secondary education providing added value to pedagogical work, according to the minister.
Teacher evaluation reform prioritised
Teacher and educational work evaluation leads reform priorities, requiring institutionalisation on a new basis “if we truly wish to see significant changes, both in learning outcomes and in school climate and professional development of our educators”.
Improving learning conditions for children with disabilities represents “a decisive intervention that will ‘force’ the system to become more humane and inclusive, initially through improving and modernising legislation”.
Building trust identified as biggest challenge
The ministry’s greatest challenge involves cultivating trust and cooperation with society, educators and parents, the minister acknowledged.
“We want a school that responds to the needs of the times, but also to shaping tomorrow’s society, based on values and life skills. Changes require time and stability to acquire depth and duration,” she explained.
“The Government has positioned Education as an essential priority and this is confirmed today with the horizontal reform already being implemented. We proceed with determination, because reform means vision, plan, but also actions”.
The minister concluded that “Education is changing, and this change is the most hopeful and substantial investment for the Cyprus we envision”.
