The government has extended free pre-primary education eligibility from four years and eight months to four years and six months, with the ultimate goal of lowering it to four years old. However, the proposal needs to be ratified as a legal amendment by the House before implementation. Education Minister Athina Michaelidou, speaking after the cabinet meeting, stated that the approval is part of Cyprus' Recovery and Resilience plan. She emphasized that all children are entitled to two years of complimentary pre-school education, which also contributes to the labour market.
Commencing from the upcoming school year, the initiative will encompass complimentary enrollment at both public and community kindergartens. In Cyprus, the typical primary school age is six. The minister mentioned, "Starting from the next school year, we are reducing the age by two months. Instead of admitting children to public and community kindergartens at four years and eight months, we will now accept them from four years and six months, gradually aiming to reach the age of four". Additionally, she highlighted that starting in 2025, the subsidy for children opting to attend private schools will be sustained.
"We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone, and we believe that this specific proposal addresses concerns that have persisted in previous years", Michaelidou stated. She emphasized the urgency, saying, "We cannot afford further delays because the validity of the Recovery and Resilience plan extends for two more years, until 2026, and the government has successfully retained every allocated fund". In Cyprus, both primary and secondary education are compulsory. Attendance in public schools is free for all grades from ages 5 to 18, and mandatory from ages 5 to 15. The language of instruction is Greek, and English is introduced as a second language from the first grade.
