Financing for equity in primary and secondary education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to schools
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
In Cyprus, the education system is centrally managed by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth (MoESY). Public education at pre-primary, primary, and secondary levels is mainly funded by the government, either directly or through transfers to Local School Boards. The MoESY covers teacher salaries, all costs for constructing school buildings, and provides books and teaching materials free of charge. Other expenses, including the maintenance and improvement of school buildings and management of school equipment, are the responsibility of Local School Boards. An exception exists for secondary technical schools, where the government assumes full responsibility for financing without Local School Board involvement.
Public schools have partial financial autonomy. Decisions regarding staffing are managed centrally by the MoESY. Decisions regarding infrastructure and resource management are handled in some cases centrally by the Ministry, and in other under the coordination or collaboration with the respective School Board.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Cyprus is divided into six administrative districts: Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Ammochostos, Pafos and Kyrenia. District authorities have no responsibility in educational policy-making, planning or the establishment and operation of schools. The system of school administration is mainly centralised, with some administrative authority exercised at local level by the Local School Boards, which are funded directly (see section 2).
2. Education resources to schools
Funding to Local School Boards
Local School Boards in Cyprus, established by Law 70(I)/2005, receive funding from the central government based on student enrolment, the school’s location (urban or rural), the structural integrity of school buildings’ infrastructure, the number of employees employed by the School Board etc. Additional income may be generated through the management of School Board properties and other assets under their responsibility.
Early School Leaving, School Failure and Delinquency in Zones of Educational Priority (2003–2015)
In the 2003-2004 school year, the programme ‘Early School Leaving, School Failure and Delinquency in Zones of Educational Priority’ was introduced at schools located in Educational Priority Zones, which were clusters of schools in disadvantaged areas. It aimed to support students from families with low socioeconomic and educational levels, addressing challenges such as school failure, delinquency, and early school leaving. This initiative laid the groundwork for the Schools and Social Inclusion+ Programme (DRA.S.E.+) which was introduced in 2015-2016 school year, continuing its focus on improving educational outcomes and promoting social inclusion among vulnerable student populations.
School and Social Inclusion Actions+ Programme (DRA.S.E.+) (2021)
The DRA.S.E.+ programme, co-funded by the European Union Social Fund (60%) and the Republic of Cyprus (40%) for 2021–2027, supports students from pre-primary to upper secondary levels who are living below the poverty line or at risk of poverty and social exclusion. The programme aims to strengthen social cohesion, improve learning outcomes, reduce school failure and delinquency, and decrease early school leaving.
Students are selected based on measurable social and economic criteria, including receiving a minimum guaranteed income, having an unemployed parent in a single-parent household, or coming from large families (four or more children), regardless of geographic location. Key actions include morning and afternoon learning programs, Greek language courses for migrant students and families, psychosocial support through Information and Social-Emotional Support Centres, provision of technological equipment and educational tools, funding for student well-being activities through the ‘EAYP’ program, and seminars and training for teachers.
Subsidies for Schools Serving Religious and Ethnic Minority Groups
The MoESY subsidises schools that serve religious and ethnic minority groups recognised in the 1960 Constitution—namely Turkish Cypriots, Armenian Orthodox, Latin (Roman Catholics), and Maronite Catholics. Subsidies are paid directly to schools and vary depending on the institution, aiming to preserve the cultural identity of these communities. Maronite Catholic and Armenian Orthodox schools additionally benefit from tax exemptions and access to public school teachers.
Government support fully covers fees—including registration, tuition, and books—for Turkish Cypriot, Latin, and Maronite students attending pre-primary and primary schools in the government-controlled areas. This includes private schools for Turkish Cypriot students and national schools for Latin and Maronite students with Cypriot citizenship. Following decisions by the Council of Ministers in 2003 and 2004, students from these religious groups, as well as Turkish Cypriots residing in the government-controlled areas, are officially entitled to financial support for tuition, registration, enrolment fees, and instructional materials, enabling them to attend private educational institutions of their choice.
3. Education resources to students and families
At the primary and secondary levels, both recurring and one-off are subsidies provided directly to students or families. The government mostly offers one-off subsidies to support students at these levels. Recurring subsidies are provided through the EU-funded Recovery and Resilience Plan. At the higher education level, scholarships are granted based on academic merit and socioeconomic status, helping to ensure access to tertiary education for eligible students.
One-Off Subsidies for Technology and School Support
In the 2024-2025 school year, the Cypriot government implemented a one-off subsidy package, ‘Together at Every Beginning’. The package targeted all families in Cyprus whose children were registered in either public or private schools.
The one-off subsidy for technology provided €200 for tablets to third-grade primary students and €400 for laptops to second-grade secondary (B’ Gymnasium) students. A school supplies one-off subsidy of €100 per student was offered to first-grade students across primary, secondary, high school, and technical schools. Family support one-off subsidies provided €150 to families with at least three children in pre-primary, primary, secondary, and technical education—including private schools. An additional €150 one-off subsidy was provided to families with three or more children in public schools not covered by other measures. Public transport discounts were also included, reducing annual fares for secondary students from €200 to €30 and monthly fares from €10 to €5.
Recurring Subsidies for Technology
In the 2022-2023 school year, the Cypriot government implemented a recurring subsidy package, which targeted families receiving child benefits. The package included technology assistance. This subsidy is funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (EU-funded strategy).
The subsidy for technology provided €100 for tablets to third-grade primary students and €300 for laptops to second-grade secondary (B’ Gymnasium) students. The subsidy is ongoing and will be repeated in the current school year, as well.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
There is no specific programme under the Ministry of Social Welfare with an education component for students at the primary/secondary level.
5. School meal programmes
Free Breakfast for Students in Need
Since 2013, the MoESY has implemented the Free Breakfast to Students in Need programme for pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools. Eligible children receive breakfast every weekday, based on financial and social criteria, such as being a minimum guaranteed income recipient, having an unemployed parent or guardian, being orphaned, or being part of large families (more than three children), or having insufficient income for other reasons.
School Meal Allowances for Disadvantaged Students
While parents and guardians are generally responsible for student lunches in primary schools, the Ministry provides meal allowances to children from low-income households. These allowances are €321 per student per year for all-day optional primary schools and €470 per student per year for all-day compulsory primary schools. Daily menus and lunch arrangements are designed by specialised nutritionists and approved by the Ministry in accordance with relevant circulars.
This profile has been reviewed by Dr Ioannis Savvides, Head of European and International Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth; and Dr Tatiana Shiamma-Charilaou, European and International Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.
