Cyprus will reduce curriculum content and deploy social workers to schools as part of education reforms for the 2025-2026 academic year, Education Minister Athina Michaelidou announced Friday.
The ministry’s strategy focuses on developing modern, inclusive schools through skills-based learning, mental resilience strengthening and new institutional frameworks, Michaelidou said during a press conference ahead of the school term start.
Social workers will be placed in schools with high delinquency rates under a pilot programme, whilst special education legislation advances and school autonomy increases.
Technical gymnasium programme to launch alongside citizenship education
The ministry will expand participation in the DRA.SE.+ programme to 56 kindergartens and 98 primary schools, whilst secondary schools offering remedial literacy instruction will increase to 80 institutions.
Work Week programmes return to second-year lyceum students, with more Greek language instruction and reintroduction of Citizenship Education forming core curriculum elements.
Technical Gymnasium operations will commence alongside upgrades to Athletic and Music Schools and other specialised institutions, according to the ministry announcement.
School autonomy increases under modernisation strategy
The reforms include policy development for gifted students and enhanced support systems across educational levels. Curriculum rationalisation aims to streamline content delivery whilst promoting practical skills development.
All initiatives form part of comprehensive education modernisation efforts designed to create schools that are “modern, inclusive and effective” in meeting societal and student needs, Michaelidou said.