The President announced the renovation of the Paralimni Gymnasium for €5.5 million and a new sports school for €15 million

On Monday, September 8, President Nikos Christodoulides visited the gymnasium in Paralimni and announced the allocation of €5.5 million for its modernization and the creation of a new sports school in the region worth €15 million. He was accompanied on the trip by Minister of Education Athina Michaelidou.

According to the President, the choice of the school was made partly for “national reasons” — it belongs to the Famagusta district, part of which is located in Northern Cyprus — and therefore requires attention. Christodoulides also noted that this is “the largest gymnasium in Cyprus” with strong student performance.

The Minister of Education announced a series of reforms: revision of curricula with a reduction in material volume and emphasis on critical thinking, introduction of teacher performance evaluation, and changes in staffing appointments. The government plans to keep schools in villages operating even with only two students, to ensure equal access to education.

Special attention is given to technical education: this year two technical gymnasiums will open on a pilot basis — in Nicosia and Limassol. The island-wide modernization program includes the installation of air conditioners — now 45% of schools are equipped compared to 10% a year earlier; full coverage is planned by the end of 2026.

Michaelidou reported that on Monday the first grades welcomed 9,000 out of 66,000 elementary school students. She emphasized the priority of mental health, the expansion of preschool education, the introduction of financial literacy and career guidance from lower grades, as well as the expansion of the “all-day school,” which may reduce the need for extracurricular activities for parents and students.