In six Lyceums nationwide, the new direction 5b, which has been designed by the Directorate of Secondary Education of the Ministry of Education, in the framework of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (SAA), will be implemented on a pilot basis from next September.
These are:
>> The Lyceum of Dali
>> The Lanitio Lyceum
>> The Lyceum of Livadia
>> The Lyceum of Lefkara
>> The Lyceum of Paralimni
>> The Lyceum of Archbishop Makarios III of Paphos
As "F" has already written, since last January, the aim of this direction is to provide the necessary knowledge and skills to students who wish to join the labour market immediately after graduating from school, especially in professions for which there are no curricula.
Asked about the update of the data regarding this innovation, which will be integrated into our educational system immediately – from the new school year – the Deputy Director of Secondary Education, Giorgos Koutsidis, told "F", that direction 5b is a new educational path within the existing 5th direction (Trade and Services), with an emphasis on the development of practical knowledge and skills that meet the demands of the labour market.
It is mainly aimed at students who, after graduating from high school, wish to enter employment immediately, students who are looking for a more applied form of learning in their field of interest, as well as students with a migrant background. At the same time, the program maintains the possibility for students to access Higher Education, if they choose to do so.
"With the aim of enhancing applied experiential learning, reducing early school leaving and student stagnation in high school, as well as better responding education to the needs of the modern labour market, the Directorate of Secondary General Education has proceeded with the development of a new curriculum, specifically direction 5b "Applied Learning in Commerce and Services".
The action was implemented under Milestone 239a of Reform C5.1R1 of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), with a budget of €189,400," said Mr. Koutsidis.
Writing of 12 new Curricula
However, in order for the implementation of the new direction in the school curriculum to be possible, it was necessary to take specific actions. Among them is the writing of Curricula, as well as the development of educational material for six new subjects, both for the second and third grades of Lyceum (a total of 12 Curricula).
According to Mr. Koutsidis, the courses concern Office Management and Organization, Applied Informatics, Commercial – Marketing – Sales Techniques, Life and Health Education, Green Transition – Applied Biology and Technology and Applied Skills.
As he explained, "the choice to introduce them was based on data resulting from the HRDA's studies on the needs of the Cypriot labour market as well as data from the European Skills Forecasts of Cedefop (Cyprus – Skills Forecast 2025) and EURES/European Labour Authority (Labour Shortages and Surpluses 2025) on staff shortages and high-demand occupations at the European Union level."
It was pointed out that the new courses of specialization 5b meet the modern needs of the labour market, as they are associated with high-demand professions, as shown by the relevant studies, in the fields of trade, services, transport, warehousing, sales and administrative support.
Indicatively, students will gain knowledge and skills that can be used in positions such as office management and organization employees, customer service, sales and commercial support, warehouse and inventory management, food sales and marketing industry, social media, multimedia and advertising assistants, automation management clerks in commerce and office services, environmental management and compliance, monitoring and commissioning maintenance of technological equipment, evaluation of technological equipment offers, green office employees – ways of saving energy and renewable sources, as well as in other relevant medium-skilled positions.
Already, since the 2025-2026 school year, A Lyceum students have been informed by Counselling and Vocational Education teachers about the direction and subjects and the students' choices for the new subjects have been recorded, providing a clear picture of the number of students who chose each subject in each school. The implementation of Axis 5b will be carried out gradually, with continuous monitoring and the possibility of corrective interventions.
Prospects and targeted actions
Analyzing the rationale and benefits of this action, the Deputy Director of Secondary Education at the Ministry of Education, said that applied learning is expected to play a critical role in equipping students with the skills required for these careers.
"In this way, their employment prospects are enhanced, their smooth transition from school to the labour market is facilitated and the creation of a modern, qualified and competitive human resource, capable of responding to the challenges of an ever-evolving economy, is strengthened," explained Mr. Koutsidis.
At the same time, in the framework of direction 5b, targeted actions were designed for the students of the second and third grades of Lyceum, lasting two weeks per school year, which will strengthen the connection of the educational process with the world of work through the new subjects.
In addition, during the 2025-2026 school year, both online and face-to-face trainings were held in Nicosia and Limassol of the teachers of all districts who will be called upon to teach the new subjects and coordinate the targeted actions, specifically in the specialties of Economics – Commercial, Information Technology, Health Education, Biology and Design and Technology.
In addition, Counselling and Vocational Education teachers have been trained in order to get to know the philosophy, structure and content of the new curriculum and therefore to be able to inform, guide and effectively support students in choosing the new direction, according to their interests, skills and professional prospects.
