In collaboration with the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) of the European Commission, UNESCO has been providing support since October 2023 to the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth (MESY) of Cyprus. This 24-month project, funded by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument, aims to develop an operational framework for implementing all-day schooling in all lower secondary schools. The project seeks to enhance the student learning experience and outcomes at lower secondary education level, particularly for students with migrant and refugee backgrounds. By extending school hours into the afternoon, students will receive support for homework, attend life skills workshops and develop social-emotional skills through creative activities.
The direct beneficiary of this project is MESY, specifically the Directorate of Secondary General Education (DSGE). Other important primary beneficiaries of the project include students, parents, teachers, guidance counselors, and school leaders.
The support provided through the project includes:
- Analysis report mapping the current state-of-play of lower secondary education. A detailed assessment of the current state of lower secondary education in Cyprus, including key achievements, challenges, and identified areas for improvement
- Analysis of good practices in designing and implementing all-day schooling. An in-depth analysis of successful all-day schooling models from other countries, supplemented by study visits to Estonia and France and tailored recommendations on how to adapt these practices to Cyprus’ context.
- Operational plan to institutionalize all-day schooling in lower secondary education. A fully costed, scenario-based operational plan outlining concrete steps for institutionalizing all-day schooling in Cyprus, based on the insights and good practices derived from the situation analysis and country case studies
- Piloting the concept of all-day schooling in selected lower secondary schools. Support in piloting the concept of all-day schooling in selected lower secondary schools, and its evaluation
- Roadmap for the nationwide implementation of all-day schooling at lower secondary level. A strategic guide for phased scaling up of all-day schooling in all lower secondary schools, developed in collaboration with all concerned stakeholders
In the long term, the project is expected to generate significant social and economic benefits, including reduced expenditure on social welfare programs, decreased early school leaving and improved employability for students. It will also lessen after-school care responsibilities for parents, promoting a more balanced family life and more active participation in the labor market, especially among mothers.