Nicosia, Cyprus. The second week of the Pancyprian examinations began on Monday, with high school leavers sitting Ancient Greek and mathematics examinations and technical school leavers taking a technology examination. Officials said no issues were reported during the first week of tests.
Monday examinations and participation
According to the government, 2,286 people were due to sit Monday’s mathematics examination, while 233 were due to take the Ancient Greek examination.
Schedule for the rest of the week
Examinations will continue throughout the week. On Tuesday, students are scheduled to sit Spanish, visual arts, and another technology examination for technical school students.
On Wednesday, students will sit information technology, a practical graphic arts examination, and English for technological schools.
On Thursday, the Italian, health education and theatre studies practical examinations will be held.
On Friday, the physics, history and another technology examination for technical schools will take place.
Officials report smooth first week
Education ministry examinations service head Socrates Mylonas said that “no issues” arose during the first week of examinations, adding that “of course, we are in the middle of the big lessons now”.
He also said that one basketball team is currently abroad and that provisions have been made for the players to sit their examinations while there.
Comments on examination difficulty
Regarding the examinations themselves, Mylonas said that “we have not heard anything specific so far which refers to degrees of difficulty”, but added that “of course, we have two courses which are attracting interest today” in Ancient Greek and Mathematics.
Final week ahead
Next week will be the third and final week of this year’s Pancyprian examinations.
Last week, Education Minister Athena Michaelidou said the Pancyprian examinations are not “the end” for children taking them, but a new beginning.
“We’re simply conveying the message that this isn’t the end – it’s the beginning for the children,” she said, adding that “there are so many options; it’s just one step in their future lives, in their future journey”.
