Cyprus - School System Education in Cyprus is free and you can send your children to a local Cypriot school if you are living on the island. Standards are reasonably high. Lessons are in Greek; if your children are not fluent Greek speakers they will be given extra Greek tuition locally, sponsored by the government, so that they can catch up - which they invariably do with great speed. Pre-school Education There are state baby nurseries for children of up to three years of age. Then pre-school education is provided by Greek-language state schools for children aged from three years to five years and eight months. Attendance is voluntary and costs less than what the private sector charges. Primary and Secondary Education Primary education lasts for six years leading to a leaving certificate. It is provided free of charge at state schools for children aged from five years and eight months to 11 years and eight months. Age is the only criterion for the entry of children into primary education. Public general secondary education also extends over six years and is free for children until they are 18. It is divided into two three-year cycles: three years at the gymnasium for children from 11 years and eight months to 15 years, followed by three years at the lykeion for children aged from 15 to 18.  Higher Education Education is compulsory until the age of l5, but most Cypriot students stay on till 18 and then go on to higher education. Cyprus has one university and 24 colleges and institutions of higher education. Some 70 per cent of school leavers go on to college or university, although many go overseas to Greece, the UK and the USA. See http://www.cypruspropertyvillas.com/cyprus/Cyprus-universities.htm