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Parents in Cyprus want the best possible education for their children. But many are being ripped off by freebooting teachers and unlicensed colleges charging as much as €600 a month to give a child after-school lessons.
The Government also feels it is being ripped off. Parents here are spending around €50 – €100 mln a year on private lessons for their children, but in 2018 the state collected just €1.4 mln in taxes from registered private institutions. So, by any reckoning, a lot of money is vanishing into the black economy.
That is the thrust of an investigation conducted by Phileleftheros daily. In response, the ministry advised parents to think carefully about whether their children really need coaching outside of the free state system.
Many expats will say this is a choice they just don’t have. They feel their children will face a language barrier in state schools, where teaching is mostly through Greek. They worry that, having studied a different curriculum, their families will be at a disadvantage should they return to their home country. And they worry that qualifications obtained in Cyprus may not be recognised elsewhere.
Some of these issues are not the problem they seem. Young children are adaptable. So, if your offspring are of primary or pre-primary age you may find they have no difficulty with the language.
Expat parents who intend to make their long-term future here often prefer to have their children immersed in Cypriot culture and language – and there’s a bonus: no fees for expat children attending state schools.
Expat parents with older children will inevitably think of a private school or, at very least, employing tutors and organising extra lessons.
Even if language is not a problem they may still seek additional coaching because the Apolyterion, the Cyprus school-leaving certificate, does not always equate with similar tests in the UK and the US, and students who plan to go to those countries, for work or further education, may wish to acquire another qualification such as the International Baccalaureate, Britain’s GCSE or Ireland’s Leaving Certificate.
The majority of expats in Cyprus send their children to a private international school, where they are surrounded by fellow English speakers. These schools tend to offer a more comprehensive selection of extra-curricular activities than state schools and have smaller class sizes.
International schools mostly follow a US or UK curriculum structure. While English will be the primary language, several languages are usually taught. Admission and enrolment processes vary from school to school.
And they can be expensive. Don’t expect any change from €3,000 a year and you can pay as much as €12,000. So, shop around. Talk to other parents and take stock of what the schools have to offer.
The most important piece of advice I give to parents when it comes to investing in your children’s education is to plan ahead and plan well. Education fees are rising sharply and I know of families who have come unstuck and had to sell assets just to educate their kids.
Getting the best advice possible is the first key step, and this is where the Woodbrook Group can help.
We are unique in that our financial plans are individually tailored to meet our clients’ specific needs, regardless of their circumstances. Our team of financial experts will work with you to find the right education plan to suit your children’s requirements.
Again, early planning is vital. Many of our clients have financial plans for their children’s education in place before they are born. Each individual plan is reviewed every month.
Plotting the course of your child’s education is never easy but, with good planning, you can at least avoid the financial worries.
