Cyprus Ministry of Education clarifies school holiday and prayer guidelines

The Cypriot Ministry of Education has addressed ongoing discussions regarding school schedules and religious practices. Regarding summer holidays, Minister Athina Michaelidou clarified that school start dates are governed by established legislation and regulations rather than arbitrary decisions. She noted that while Cyprus and Greece have some of the longest summer breaks in Europe, the ministry provides alternatives such as upgrading summer schools and collaborating with local authorities for clubs.

On the topic of religious education and morning prayer, the Ministry issued a circular for the upcoming school year. The guidelines state that teachers will facilitate morning prayer during the first instructional period. To accommodate the country's multicultural reality, the ministry specified that students who are not Orthodox Christians may pray silently to their own God.