The house education committee met Thursday to discuss a contentious government bill that would allow state universities to offer undergraduate programmes in English.
The Ministry of Education and public universities support the legislation, arguing it would enhance international competitiveness. The national student union POFEN has also backed the proposal.
However, teachers’ unions OELMEK and OLTEK, alongside the Pancyprian Confederation of Secondary Education Parents, strongly oppose the measure, warning it could create a two-tier education system favouring private school students who take international examinations.
“Private school owners will wave this law and tell students ‘come to us, take GCEs and secure a place at the University of Cyprus,'” said MP Andreas Themistocleous, highlighting concerns about economic discrimination against public school students.
University of Cyprus Rector Tasos Christofides urged parliament to bring the bill to a plenary vote, warning that Greek universities would soon offer English-language programmes through local branches while Cypriot institutions cannot.
Education Minister Athena Michaelidou defended the proposal, emphasising it would not affect existing Pancyprian Examinations or public funding. “These will be self-funded, targeted programmes that won’t impact the state budget or current admission processes,” she said.
The minister stressed that free education at public universities would remain accessible only through the Pancyprian Examinations, regardless of whether students attend public or private schools.
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