Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus Education Minister Athena Michaelidou on Tuesday congratulated Anastasia Constantinou, a middle-aged woman who earned her high school leaving certificate with top honours decades after leaving school. Constantinou completed her studies by attending classes at night school.
Recognition from the education minister
Michaelidou said Constantinou was a source of inspiration for every citizen. She said the achievement showed how education can remain accessible to people later in life.
A lifelong dream fulfilled
Constantinou said completing her education had been “a lifelong dream”, adding that “everyone is capable of achieving” it “as long as there is a will”. She also said that “education never ends”.
Role of evening schools
The minister emphasised the importance of strengthening the evening school as part of the overall educational system, saying it gives a second chance and opens the door to people whose circumstances prevented them from completing their education.
Education and social change
“When personal effort meets a government that creates real opportunities, then education becomes a force for change for individuals and for society,” Michaelidou said. She added that evening school represents one of the most significant manifestations of this aim and is “a key pillar of social cohesion and personal development”.
