REPUBLIC

OF CYPRUS

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, CULTURE, SPORT AND YOUTH

March 11, 2020

Announcement by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth:

Measures for the prevention of the COVID‐19 virus spread.

Taking into consideration the turn of events after the appearance of additional cases
of the new Corona Virus (COVID-19) in Cyprus, and for the purpose of prevention of
its spread, the Ministry of Education announces the following measures:

1. The suspension of operation of the Nicosia Schools which was already

announced on Monday, is extended for the next week, until Friday the 20th of
March 2020.
2. The operation of all schools in Cyprus is hereby suspended as of this coming
Friday the 13th of March until Friday the 20th of March 2020. The delayed
commencement of said suspension aims at giving the appropriate time
(Thursday) for the interested parties in order to make all necessary
arrangements.
3. The suspension of all other educational programs of the Ministry, afternoon
and evening classes, Special Schools – both public and private, as well as
private tutoring schools throughout Cyprus, from Friday the 13th of March
until Friday the 20th of March 2020.
4. At the same time, all tertiary educational institutions, public and private need
to suspend their operation until Sunday the 22nd of March 2020.
We reiterate the operation suspension of the schools is due to preventive reasons
only, since until date there has been no case or incident related to schools. We advise
everyone to keep their calm, take the necessary precautions and follow the
instructions given by the Ministry of Health.

Moreover, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth, in cooperation with
the under-secretary of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, is investigating the
possibility to ensure that during the suspension of the schools’ operation, there can
be online and distance teaching, especially for students of the final High-school class,
who are preparing for the Cypriot Exams.

The Ministry is also investigating the event of prolongation of the school operation if
necessary, in accordance with the relevant Regulations, so the time lost due to this
suspension can be eventually compensated.

Meanwhile, the Government is examining, in consultation with several employer

organizations, the possibility of providing facilitation to the employees – parents, for
the duration the schools are not operating.