More and more Cypriot students need support from teachers and psychologists

In Cyprus, the number of students requiring psychological and educational support is rapidly increasing. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Education, around 10,600 requests from students and their families have been registered in the current academic year — a figure that significantly exceeds last year’s numbers.

According to the ministry, the main reasons for the requests are anxiety disorders, difficulties in concentration, problems with socialization, as well as stress related to academic pressure and family circumstances. It is noted that even in regular classrooms, on average three to four children require ongoing individual support.

Experts note a worrying trend: about 70% of students temporarily not attending school do so for psychological or emotional reasons. At the same time, most of them do not receive regular professional help, and access to school psychologists is limited due to a shortage of specialists.

The Ministry of Education announced plans to increase the number of school psychologists and social educators, as well as to implement programs for early diagnosis of children’s emotional difficulties. However, representatives of educational institutions acknowledge that they are already facing staff shortages and specialist overload, which forces many students to wait weeks for assistance.

Psychologists and teachers emphasize the need for urgent measures: strengthening cooperation between schools and mental health services, implementing permanent preventive programs, and revising educational policies so that the system can respond promptly to the growing needs of students.