Cyprus strengthens support for migrant children in schools

The Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Cyprus is expanding support programmes for children from migrant families to help them adapt and ensure equal access to education. Schools are introducing transition classes, additional hours of Greek as a second language, as well as targeted programmes for teenagers and unaccompanied minors. Minister of Education Athina Michaelidou stressed that all decisions are made primarily in the best interest of the child.

Since the 2021–2022 school year, following recommendations from European Commission experts, the number of Greek language hours for migrant children has been doubled — and in some cases tripled. In primary schools, under the “School and Social Integration Actions+” (DRASE+) programme funded by the European Social Fund, children receive up to 10 additional hours of Greek per week, while in other schools they receive 5–10 hours. Over two years, pupils complete 360–720 hours of learning, and according to the Centre for Educational Research and Evaluation, more than 80% reach level B1 by sixth grade. For the 2025–2026 school year, 5,325 additional teaching hours have already been allocated — equivalent to 184 teaching posts.

In many kindergartens and primary schools, DRASE+ provides a second support teacher who dedicates 8–10 hours a week to working with migrant children. This approach avoids isolating pupils and instead integrates them into the main class, creating a truly inclusive environment. In secondary schools, transition classes, short-term language programmes and specific provisions for unaccompanied minors and young asylum seekers are in place. Admission to these programmes depends on age and level of Greek; children below B1 level are automatically placed in intensive language classes.

The ministry notes that programmes start at the beginning of the school year, teachers receive specialised training, and educational materials are available for all levels — from kindergarten to upper secondary. A major European project completed in 2024 created educational videos, audio and digital resources for kindergartens, and a similar project for primary schools will run until 2027. The goal of all these measures is to create schools where children of Cypriots and migrants study together, while additional support is tailored to the real needs of each child.