Performance of Cypriot students in mathematics, natural sciences and text comprehension shows a downward trend, according to the educational results of the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the 2022 International Civic and Citizenship Education Study, (ICCS). 

Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Athina Michaelidou, said that the education system of Cyprus needs to be re-organised and improved, stressing that structural changes are needed to improve the educational results  over time.

She noted that specific measures are already being taken and other measures are being planned within the framework of the government program.

According to the PISA 2022 survey, the average performance of Cypriot students is 418 in Mathematics, 411 in Natural Sciences and 381 in text comprehension, performances statistically lower than the corresponding averages of the countries of the European Union.

Meanwhile, according to the ICCS 2022 survey, the average of Cypriot students in terms of civic education and citizenship was 459 units, a performance  significantly lower than the international average.

The Minister of Education said that the results of the two surveys regarding Cyprus are not satisfactory and that they are much worse than those of other European countries.

She noted that the education system remained attached to providing knowledge, without emphasizing on skills and capabilities. 

Referring to the measures to improve the outcomes, the Minister said that, among others, they include the syllabuses, teaching approaches, a modern teacher and student evaluation system, the introduction of prevention programs in preschool age, the digitization of education, the introduction of innovative programs and an emphasis on critical thinking.