Two fewer primary schools operated in the 2022/2023 school year than in 2021/2022, even though the number of pupils increased by 1,315, according to the results of the Annual Survey on Education  for the 2022/2023 school year, released on Thursday by the Statistical Service.

Specifically, while 360 primary schools operated in 2021/2022 with 56,853 pupils, while in 2022/2023 358 primary schools operated with 58,168 pupils.

Furthermore, according to the data, although the absolute amount spent on education was increased, as a percentage of GDP and the state budget, it decreased in 2022. It is also noted that the most 'expensive' level of education per capita is secondary vocational education.

According to the results of the survey, the total number of pupils and students at all educational levels reached 208,374 compared to 203,041 the school year 2021/2022, recording an increase of 2.6%. The total number of teachers in 2022/2023, was 16,475 recording an increase of 3.6% compared to 2021/2022 where teachers were 15,907. The total number of educational institutions in 2022/2023 was 1,351 compared to 1,313 in 2021/2022. 

Number of Students and Educational Institutions by Level of Education

For the school year 2022/2023 in Pre-school and Pre-primary education, 764 kindergartens and day nurseries operated with 37,344 children, recording an increase of 6.8% compared to the 2021/2022 school year, where 728 kindergartens and day nurseries operated with 34,980 children.

In Primary education 358 schools operated with 58,168 pupils, showing an increase of 2.3% compared to 2021/2022 where 360 schools operated with 56,853 pupils.

In Secondary education during 2022/2023, 59,926 pupils enrolled in 171 schools, showing an increase of 2.9%, compared to 2021/2022 where 167 schools operated with 58,212 pupils.

In Tertiary education, 58 educational institutions operated with a total number of 52,936 students. The corresponding figures for the academic year 2021/2022, were 58 educational institutions and 52,996 students.

Additionally, in 2022/2023, 11 Special Schools operated with 551 pupils and 211 teachers, while in 2021/2022 for the same number of schools we had 524 pupils and 217 teachers.

Expenditure for education down as a GDP and budget percentage

Public expenditure in all levels of education, amounted to €1,445.9 million in 2022 and accounted for 13% of the Government Budget and 4.9% of the Gross Domestic Product. The corresponding amounts for the financial year 2021 amounted to €1,357.3 million and accounted for 13.1% of the Government Budget and 5.4% of the Gross Domestic Product.

The cost per student for public education, in 2022 measured, in terms of current expenditure, €5,770 for Pre-School and Pre-Primary, €8,082 for Primary, €12,026 for Secondary General, €14,361 for Secondary Vocational and €13,591 for Tertiary education. The corresponding current expenditure per pupil, for public education, in 2021, was €5,637 for Pre-School and Pre-Primary, €7,377 for Primary, €11,419 for Secondary General, €14,006 for Secondary Vocational and €12,955 for Tertiary education.