The school year is in full swing in Cyprus. The hustle and bustle of September and the 'hot' time of getting your child ready for school is finally behind you. It's time to work out how empty your wallet is as a result of these preparations. I decided to take a personal look at how much it costs to pack your favourite child for school in Cyprus, what is on the obligatory shopping list and where you can save money. And this is what I found!
Choosing an Education: Private or Public School?
Perhaps we should start with where your child goes to school. Choosing a school is a very important consideration. There are both public and private schools in Cyprus. The former are absolutely free. The main disadvantage is that they are taught in Greek, which is not always acceptable to foreigners. However, this can be a big advantage for those who want to integrate quickly into the local community. The alternative is public schools with international programmes, where classes are taught in English and sometimes even in Russian. This means that you will almost never have to pay for a public school. Apart from the fact that you don't have to pay any tuition fees, textbooks and even stationery are provided free of charge. The maximum you will have to buy is a uniform, and that is at your discretion. Sometimes there is money for excursions. Oh, and to pay for after-school care if you really need to keep your child for a few extra hours.
Public schools in Cyprus are the opposite of state schools. Unfortunately, they are not free. Tuition fees for a year at such a school range from 300 euros to 1.5 thousand euros per month. Some schools offer discounts if you pay in full for the year. In any case, parents must be prepared to spend a lot of money. This is exactly our option, so let's do the maths.
The main categories of expenditure are
Uniforms and sportswear, shoes
Many schools in Cyprus require uniforms to be worn and their purchase is a compulsory part of the fees. A full set of uniforms (skirt/trousers, shirt, tie) can cost between €100 and €200. Summer uniforms are slightly cheaper and winter uniforms are more expensive. The sports uniform will cost between 50 and 100 euros. And this is just the basic set. Remember that children grow, so the clothes bought in September will need to be replaced in the middle of the school year. It is also necessary to consider shoes. You will need a pair of black shoes and a pair of trainers, all of which cost around €150.
Textbooks, exercise books and stationery
Textbooks are provided free of charge in public schools and for a fee in private schools. The cost can vary from 200 to 500 euros per set. As for stationery, a good quality set of notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, pencil cases, etc. will cost between 50 and 100 euros at the beginning of the school year. Some parents prefer to buy consumables in bulk, which slightly reduces the annual cost.
What to look out for when choosing stationery
- Pens - choose lightweight and durable options, preferably with a rubber stop to reduce hand strain.
- Pencils - preferably three-point pencils that are comfortable to hold. Avoid thin-bodied mechanical pencils as they are more likely to break.
- A sharpener - make sure it is suitable for different pencil diameters and has a waste container.
- Notebooks - choose a 170 × 205 mm format with the right number of sheets. Look for margins and a colourful layout so your child's eyes don't get tired.
- Drawing utensils - for younger children, it's better to buy safe circular pencils with a short, thick tip and flexible plastic rulers.
- Scissors - for first graders, lightweight scissors with rounded blades will do. For older pupils, choose stainless steel with a guard.
Backpack or satchel?
The main difference between a satchel and a backpack is the presence of an orthopaedic back support, which helps to keep a child's back healthy, even when carrying a lot of school books. After grade 4, many children prefer fancy backpacks that are often carried over one shoulder. This can lead to poor posture, especially in teenagers, as the spine is still forming between the ages of 17 and 20. It is therefore important for children of all ages to look after their backs.
"It is more beneficial for younger schoolchildren to wear rucksacks with a rigid frame to get them used to the load. Many people in Cyprus prefer wheeled versions. And teenagers can buy lightweight semi-frame models, which are more suitable for developing bodies. To keep everyone happy, look for youth rucksacks with orthopaedic padding.
Choosing a backpack in Cyprus can be both a practical and interesting process, as the island offers many stylish and quality options adapted to the hot climate. It is important to choose a lightweight but sturdy backpack, as Cypriot students' schoolbags are often not light. I once weighed my son's backpack and was shocked to see 10.2kg on the scale. A good quality model will cost between €70 and €100, depending on the brand and design features.
Additional costs
Sections and clubs
In Cyprus, the school programme is usually limited to basic subjects, so many parents enrol their children in additional sections and clubs. The most common are
- Sports clubs - football, tennis, swimming lessons can cost from €70-100 per month.
- Creative clubs (drawing, music) - cost about the same, sometimes a little cheaper.
- Language courses - learning other languages is also welcome and costs around 100 per month.
Transport costs
If the school is far from home, the child will need to be transported either by car or by school bus. In the first case the cost will be around 50 euros per month, in the second case it can be up to 200-300 euros. Of course, the school bus is not cheap, but think about how much time you can save. Especially if your child attends Pascal, Heritage or Island.
Lunches
School lunches are not always included in school fees and children often have to eat in the school canteen or bring their own lunch from home. On average, school meals can cost between €50 and €100 per month. And don't forget pocket money: children sometimes need between €10 and €20 a week for small purchases.
So, to sum up, how much does it cost to send a child to school in Cyprus?
To send a child to school, parents need to spend at least 650-1000 euros. And that is just for the main expenses! If you add monthly payments for education, extra circles and so on, you will have to count on at least 2-3 thousand euros.
Sending a child to school in Cyprus is a serious financial investment, which can vary depending on the school chosen, the age of the child and their personal needs. However, even with minimal expenditure, you will need to make a significant contribution to your family budget for basic schooling needs.
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