The last three days, today included, belong of course to the graduates who fought for a place at Cyprus and Greece’s public universities, and excelled. When the results of the 2026 Pancyprian Entrance Examinations were announced on Wednesday morning (22/07), ten boys and girls from every district in the country topped the rankings, their results confirming a year of relentless effort and preparation, as the reports noted.
And naturally, the very best spoke to the newspapers, the television channels, news websites and social media, about their road to success, the obstacles they had to clear, the support they had behind them, and their dreams now that they’ve come out on top. Today, Friday (24/7), the overall Access/Ranking Grade for every candidate applying to Greek universities is also due to be announced, along with details of how to submit applications.
But of course, missing from the front pages and the television studios, as every year on days like these, are the ones who didn’t stand out, who went unnoticed. Whose photograph never made it into print. Nor their name, nor their parents’ names. Nor their address, nor any of their other personal details. Nor the place that never came, at any university.
When the results were announced, the Education Minister, Athina Michailidou, addressing all the children who sat the exams, said they mark “an important milestone, but not the whole journey. Ahead of you,” she added, “there are many roads, many choices. Believe in your abilities, lean on your talents, your values and your dreams.” For the candidates who didn’t make it, Mrs Michailidou said that “a result cannot, and must not, become the measure of your worth. It doesn’t cancel out your effort, and it doesn’t limit your potential.”
Similar messages get sent out annually, by each year’s Education Minister, and by secondary school teachers. Congratulating the children who secured university places, but also the ones who didn’t, voicing the belief that all of them have an equally bright future ahead.
These messages are… routine, expected. They sound like empty words of comfort. But they carry real weight, because they speak to something true. A truth that includes the children who were never candidates at all, who never sat the exams, who never went after a place at any university…
