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National reference metadata

Cyprus

Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.

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EDUCATION AND TRAINING

National Reference Metadata in ESS Standard for Quality Reports Structure (ESQRS)

Compiling agency: Statistical Service of Cyprus (CYSTAT)

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A general description of the statistical process and its outputs, and their evolution over time.

NATIONAL EDUCATION SYSTEM
The following documents provide general information on the educational system;

General link to Eurydice.

National system broad overview.

National Education System Description.

National Education System - Provisions regarding language learning.

Annex 1 - Provisions for language learning 2021 – Cyprus.

Structure of Education and Training Systems.

Please, use the box below if you wish to complement or amend the information provided by Eurydice.

This link refers to the website of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth. The different levels and types of education can be visited for further study by clicking the ‘Education System’.

Link to the ISCMAP programme and qualification.

Annex 2 - ISCED Mapping for schoolyear 2021/2022 (UOE2023) – Cyprus

National link to programmes and qualifications.

Further information on data flagged ‘d’ in the database is available to download from the Annex of the Metadata page for Education administrative data from 2013 onwards (ISCED 2011).

Annexes:
National Education System - Provision for language learning
ISCMAP programme and qualification

Not Applicable

The data are compiled according to the concepts and definitions of the UOE data collection manual.

 Each Educational Institution that provides formal education.

All pupils and students attending formal education programmes, as well as the personnel in these institutions.

Government controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

Not Applicable

Not applicable (exhaustive survey).

Not Applicable

Operations performed on data to derive new information according to a given set of rules.

 

Weighting methods
Weighted figures for differing reference periods Weighted figures for differing theoretical ages Conversion factors from part-time to full-time equivalent (FTE) data
Not applicable Not applicable ISCED 2 and 3 students: FTE=Full Time + 0,75Part Time
Not applicable Not applicable ISCED 5-8 students: FTE=Full Time + 0,5 Part Time
Not applicable Not applicable

Teaching Personnel: 

ISCED 01 and 02: FTE=Full Time+(teaching periods of Part Time/Normal teaching periods of a Full Time teacher)

ISCED 1,2,3: FTE=(Teaching periods of Full-Time and Part-Time teachers)/Normal teaching periods of a Full Time teacher

 

Estimations methods used in the UOE questionnaires
Type of data Detailed variables concerned ISCED level Reference year(s) Data source (internal to UOE or not) Data type (sample-based or not) Data source name in English Reason Description of the estimation method
Personnel data Teaching personnel at ISCED levels 2 and 3-general ISCED 2 & 3 2000 - 2022 internal to UOE population-based Annual survey on education Breakdown of teaching personnel at ISCED 2 and ISCED 3 (general education) is not available The private institutions of Secondary General Education include both ISCED2 and ISCED3-General levels. Therefore, the teaching personnel teaches pupils enrolled at both ISCED levels. In order to separate the teaching personnel to each level we take into account the number of the students enrolled at these levels.
For public institutions the ISCED levels are separated and the above estimation method  is used only for some institutions that have both levels united. These institutions, though, represent only a small number of pupils enrolled in public secondary institutions.
Finance data Government Expenditure by ISCED level for specific cases
 
All ISCED levels 2001 - 2022 internal to UOE population-based Government Budget Breakdown of expenditure by ISCED level is not available for specific cases (administration of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, the Educational Service Commission and expenditure for pupils transportation) We separate these expenditure using the weighted enrolments of the pupils/students by ISCED level. The weight we use is [2/3*(SchoolYear t-1/t)+1/3*(SchoolYear t/t+1)], where t=the reference year. (e.g. for financial year 2007 we used 2/3*(SchoolYear2006/2007)+1/3*(SchoolYear2007/2008).
Finance data Pupils' loans at tertiary education level 1997-ISCED 5A, 5B & 6 or 2011-ISCED 5,6-8 2001 - 2022 internal to UOE population-based Government Agency for the Equal Distribution of burdens

Separation of the pupils loans at

1997-ISCED levels 5A, 5B and 6

OR

2011-ISCED 5,6-8.

The Government Agency that provides the student loans can give us only the total amount of the student loans that was given the reference year.
However, the Agency can provide the amount of the student loans that was approved this year (separated for students that study in Cyprus or abroad and by ISCED level). We also use the data from the Annual Survey on Tertiary Education, where we have information concerning the number of Cypriot students that study in Cyprus.
Combining these two sources of information, we can separate the amount of student loans that was given, for the specific year.
Finance data Grants and other benefits, Child allowance at ISCED levels 5A/6 and 5B ISCED 5A, 5B & 6 2001 - 2011 internal to UOE population-based Grants and Benefits Service of Cyprus Separation of the child allowance at ISCED levels 5A/6 and 5B The total amount of the child allowance that the students' families receive was given from the Grants and Benefits Service of Cyprus until 2011. We separate this amount using the weighted enrolments of the students by ISCED level. The weight we use is [2/3*(SchoolYear t-1/t)+1/3*(SchoolYear t/t+1)], where t=the reference year.
Finance data Grants for tuition fees 1997-ISCED 5A, 5B & 6 or 2011-ISCED 5,6-8 2001 - 2022 internal to UOE population-based Grants and Benefits Service of Cyprus Separation of the student grands to grands attributable for tuition fees to educational institutions.

The Government offers every year a grant to students eligible for this financial aid.

This amount accounts to €1709 if the student does not pay tuition fees. The students' grant increases by €854 for the students that pay tuition fees and €854 if the students' family has 3 or more children. 
For the students that pay tuition fees, the 1/3 is considered to be attributable for tuition fees to educational institutions. 

Finance data Compensation of the teaching personnel by ISCED level 2 and 3-general ISCED 2 & 3 2001 - 2022 internal to UOE population-based Government's Treasury Breakdown of the compensation of the teaching personnel by ISCED level for ISCED2 and ISCED3-General is not available. We separate this amount using the weighted data on the number of the teaching personnel by ISCED level. The weight we use is [2/3*(SchoolYear t-1/t)+1/3*(SchoolYear t/t+1)], where t=the reference year. 
Finance data Compensation of the non-teaching personnel by ISCED level All ISCED levels 2001 - 2022 internal to UOE population-based Government's Treasury Breakdown of the compensation of the non-teaching personnel by ISCED level is not available.  We separate this expenditure using the weighted enrolments of the pupils and students by ISCED level. The weight we use is [2/3*(SchoolYear t-1/t)+1/3*(SchoolYear t/t+1)], where t=the reference year. 
Finance data Expenditure for pensions All ISCED levels 2001 - 2022 external to UOE population-based Public Administration and Personnel Department The amount of the expenditure for retirement for the current personnel is not known. The pension system in Cyprus is a 'pay as you go' system. Therefore, we must impute the amount for retirement of the current personnel. From a study that took place some years ago, estimations were made that the expenditure for retirement of the current personnel is estimated to 30% on the salary of the personnel. 
Finance data Private expenditure to independent private institutions by ISCED 2 and 3-general
 
ISCED 2 & 3 2001 - 2022 mixed mixed Services survey The breakdown of private expenditure to private educational institutions of ISCED level 2 and 3 (General) is not available.  Private expenditure to private educational institutions is collected from the Services Survey (conducted by CYSTAT). The breakdown of the data by ISCED level for ISCED2 and ISCED3 (General) is not available. We allocate this expenditure using the weighted enrolments of the pupils by ISCED level.
The weight we use is [2/3*(SchoolYear t-1/t)+1/3*(SchoolYear t/t+1)], where t=the reference year.
Finance data Compensation of teaching and non-teaching personnel in private institutions All ISCED levels 2001 - 2022 mixed mixed Services survey The separation of the compensation to teaching and non-teaching personnel  in private institutions is not available.

To separate the total amount of the compensation of the personnel (teaching and non-teaching) we take into account the separation of the previous year and the weighted data on the number of the teaching and non-teaching personnel by ISCED level. The weight we use is [2/3*(SchoolYear t-1/t)+1/3*(SchoolYear t/t+1)], where t=the reference year.
Combining this information, we estimate the proportion that we must use to separate the amount of the compensation of the personnel to teaching and non-teaching personnel.

Finance data Household expenditure for educational services and goods, outside the educational institutions All ISCED levels 2001 - 2022 external to UOE sample-based Household Budget Survey Expenditure of the households for educational purposes (e.g. stationery, school books, expenditure for dormitories etc.), is not available. Since this survey is not conducted every year the inflation rate is taken into account for the years between the HBS surveys.

For each UOE table, please list the source(s) used to compile information: UOE table, name, type, date of availability and responsibility.

 

Sources used for data on enrolments
Detailed variables concerned Name of the source Type (Survey / Register / Estimation / Other) Responsible of the source (UOE data provider / Other: which-one?)
All variables Annual Survey on Education

Census carried out on all Educational Institutions providing Formal Education. For ISCED 2 and ISCED 3 the Census is carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.

CYSTAT

 

Sources used for data on entrants
Detailed variables concerned Name of the source Type (Survey / Register / Estimation / Other) Responsible of the source (UOE data provider / Other: which-one?)
All variables Annual Survey on Education Census carried out on all Educational Institutions providing Formal Education. For ISCED 2 and ISCED 3 the Census is carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth. CYSTAT

 

Sources used for data on personnel
Detailed variables concerned Name of the source Type (Survey / Register / Estimation / Other) Responsible of the source (UOE data provider / Other: which-one?)
All variables Annual Survey on Education Census carried out on all Educational Institutions providing Formal Education. Additionally, For ISCED 2 and ISCED 3, administrative data from the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth is used. CYSTAT

 

Sources used for data on enrolments at regional level
Detailed variables concerned Name of the source Type (Survey / Register / Estimation / Other) Responsible of the source (UOE data provider / Other: which-one?)
 Not applicable      

 

Sources used for data on foreign languages learning
Detailed variables concerned Name of the source Type (Survey / Register / Estimation / Other) Responsible of the source (UOE data provider / Other: which-one?)
All variables Annual Survey on Education Census carried out on all Educational Institutions providing Formal Education. For ISCED 2 and ISCED 3 the Census is carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth. CYSTAT

 

Sources used for data on graduates
Detailed variables concerned Name of the source Type (Survey / Register / Estimation / Other) Responsible of the source (UOE data provider / Other: which-one?)
All variables Annual Survey on Education Census carried out on all Educational Institutions providing Formal Education. For ISCED 2 and ISCED 3 the Census is carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth. CYSTAT

 

Sources used for data on education expenditure
Detailed variables concerned Name of the source Type (Survey / Register / Estimation / Other) Responsible of the source (UOE data provider / Other: which-one?)
Public expenditure (a) Government Budget Administrative data CYSTAT
Public expenditure (b) Other sources Other administrative and survey data that are necessary for the correct allocation of public expenditure to the different ISCED levels and the different categories of expenditure. CYSTAT
Private expenditure to private institutions Services survey Survey carried out every year to private educational institutions. CYSTAT
Other household expenditure HBS Survey carried out every 5 years to households. CYSTAT
Expenditure of non profit organisations Parents associations' expenditure

Survey for the scholarships offered by private bodies

Survey carried out every year to parents’ associations.

Survey carried out every year to private bodies that offer scholarships to students.

CYSTAT
Not Applicable

Length of time between data availability and the event or phenomenon they describe. Typically includes:

 

Information related to the latest reference year (academic year t-t+1, or financial year t)
Data collection Post-collection phase Dissemination/publication in your country Additional comments on deadlines and timeliness
Type of data Start date End date Start date End date Start date End date

Data on pupils and personnel for ISCED Levels 0-3

October year t June year t+1 July year t+1 October year t+1 March year t+3 On going  
Data on graduates for ISCED Levels 0-3 October year t+1 June year t+2  July year t+2 October year t+2 Pending Pending  
Data on students, personnel and graduates for ISCED Levels 4-8 October year t+1 December year t+1 January year t+2 August year t+2 March year t+3 On going  
Finance data March year t+1 August year t+2 March year t+1 November year t+2 March year t+3 March year t+3  

The extent to which statistics are comparable between countries.

A. Deviations between the national methodology and the UOE Manual: non financial data

Reference period Data collection period Reference date for student and personnel ages
 No deviation  No deviation  No deviation

 

Enrolment: data collection period Enrolment in multiple fields of education Count of students: if relevant, detailed list of variables for which double counting are significant and why. Regional enrolment Foreign languages learning
No deviation  No deviation

 

No double counting

 Not applicable  No deviation

 

Entrants New entrants by field of education Graduates from specific programmes Graduates by field of education
 No deviation  No deviation  No deviation  No deviation

 

Educational personnel in work- and school-based combined programmes Educational personnel taxonomy: classroom teachers (ISCED 0-4) and academic staff (ISCED 5-8) Educational staff at ISCED level 0 Educational personnel at ISCED levels 5-8 Educational personnel and temporary replacements
 Not applicable  No deviation  No deviation  No deviation  No deviation

 

B. Deviations between the national methodology and the UOE Manual: financial data

Expenditure at the pre-primary level - the childcare component
Reference period Expenditure at the pre-primary level: is the childcare component excluded (yes/no/partially)? If yes, which is exactly the share of "day care component" to be excluded from the data on the pre-primary level? If no, which estimation method is used to determine the share? Expenditure for teaching/academic hospitals Ancillary services expenditure Evening child care
 No deviation  No   There are no academic hospitals.  No deviation Extended public day school expenditure is included
Cost of a dual-system programme to the employer. Adjustment of enrolments in case there is no data on expenditure at the workplace Expenditure for contributions on pension schemes Households' payments for private tutoring Student living costs Ancillary services coverage
 Not applicable  Not applicable  No deviation  No deviation  No deviation  No deviation

The extent to which statistics are comparable or reconcilable over time.

 



Main changes compared to data transmitted for the previous reference period
Enrolments Entrants Personnel Foreign languages learning Regional data Graduates Education expenditure
Changes in the educational system Yes No changes No changes See Annex 1 Not applicable No changes No changes
Changes in the coverage No changes No changes No changes No changes Not applicable No changes No changes
Changes in the methodology No changes No changes No changes No changes Not applicable No changes No changes
Other changes No changes No changes No changes No changes Not applicable No changes No changes

 

Main changes over time
Type of data Detailed variables concerned Reference year(s) Changes in the educational system Changes in the coverage Changes in the methodology Other changes
Education expenditure Expenditure of private institutions 2003 UOE (for 2001)     Exclusion of depreciation of educational enterprises and exclusion of private Day-Nurseries (which were included before).  
Non Monetary data: Languages data Enrolments of pupils in Upper Secondary level by language learnt 2004 UOE (for 2002/2003) The Unified Lyceum was introduced, allowing the students to choose from a variety of subjects and form their own personal curriculum. For the Language part of the curriculum, it became compulsory to choose any 2 languages from the 6 languages offered. The outcome of this change was a big decrease in French and an increase in Italian.       
Education expenditure Households' expenditure 2004 UOE (for 2002)   Households' expenditure, for educational services and goods are estimated using the results of the HBS. These data were missing before.    
Education expenditure Financial aid to students (from public sources) 2005 UOE (for 2003) - 2013 UOE (for 2011)        Child allowance (given to students, from the age of 18 until the age of 23 for girls or 25 for boys) was a financial aid that lasted from 2003 until 2011.
Education expenditure Private expenditure of private educational institutions at ISCED 0 level. 2007 UOE (for 2005) Preprimary education became compulsory for children 4 8/12 years in September (1 year before entrance to primary education)  as an impact, enrolments increased as well as private expenditure to private institutions.      
Non Monetary data:
Enrolments, Entrants and Personnel data at ISCED Level 0.
Enrolments, Entrants and Personnel at ISCED Level 0. 2007 UOE (for 2005/2006) Preprimary education became compulsory for children 4 8/12 years in September (1 year before entrance to primary education) and as a result the number of enrolments and personnel at ISCED level 0 has increased considerably.      
Non Monetary data:
Enrolments data at ISCED 1 Level.
Number of enrolments at ISCED Level 1 2007 UOE (for 2005/2006)   Pupils of special education schools are included under primary education (ISCED level 1). In the previous years they were not covered.    
Non Monetary data:
Enrolments, Entrants and Graduates data, at ISCED 5 & 6 Levels.
Enrolments, Entrants and Graduates at ISCED Levels 5 & 6:   2007 UOE (for 2005/2006)     A new data collection method for the Tertiary Educational Institutions has been introduced. Until now, the data were collected using a questionnaire asking for summary statistics. The new data collection method is a student register from each institution. This change did not produce any significant changes in the tertiary level data.  
Education expenditure Private expenditure at ISCED level 5/6 2009 UOE (for 2007) The 3 largest ISCED 5B private institutions established new ISCED 5A institutions. Most of the students moved from 5B to 5A level.      
Education expenditure Public expenditure for the education personnel salaries 2009 UOE (for 2007)     New estimation method to distinguish the teaching personnel that has no teaching responsibilities.  
Non Monetary data:
Enrolments, Entrants, Graduates and Personnel data at ISCED 5&6
Enrolments, Entrants, Graduates and Personnel at ISCED Level 5 & 6 2009 UOE (for 2007/2008) Significant changes have occurred in the Tertiary Education System of Cyprus. The 3 largest ISCED5B level private institutions have established new ISCED5A institutions and as a result, a big number of students have moved from ISCED5B level to ISCED5A. Therefore, students in 2006/2007 that were studying at ISCED5B level have been transferred in 2007/2008 in ISCED 5A      
Non Monetary data: ISCED 4 Level. Enrolments, Entrants, Personnel and Graduates at ISCED 4 Level. 2014 UOE (for 2012/2013) Educational Programmes at this ISCED level commenced their operation as from school year 2012/2013 (for public sector only).       
Non Monetary and Monetary data All variables 2014 UOE (for 2012/2013)       New International Standard Classification of Education 2011 (ISCED) was implemented. This has had some impact only within the Tertiary Level data (now ISCED5-8, before ISCED5-6), as programmes are now differently broken down.
Non Monetary data Enrolments and Entrants at ISCED Levels 3-8 2016 UOE (for 2014/2015)       New International Standard Classification of fields of Education 2013 (ISCED-F) was implemented.
Non Monetary data: Enrolments and Entrants data Enrolments and Entrants at ISCED Level 3 2017 UOE (for 2015/2016) As from the school year 2015/2016, the Subject Orientation Groups were introduced in grade I of the Lyceum cycle, leading to six respective Directions of study for grades II and III.      
Non Monetary data: ISCED 4 Level. Enrolments, Entrants, Personnel and Graduates at ISCED 4 Level. 2019 UOE (for 2017/2018) Educational Programmes at this ISCED level ceased to exist as from this academic year 2017/2018. (The Public Institutions that offered these programmes were upgraded in 2017 and their programmes are now classified under ISCED5).       
Non Monetary data: ISCED 1 Level. Enrolments 2022 UOE (for 2020/2021) The minimum compulsory age for enrolment in Primary education changed from 5 8/12 to 5 10/12 as from school year 2020/2021.      
Non Monetary data: ISCED 1 Level. Enrolments 2023 UOE (for 2021/2022) The minimum compulsory age for enrolment in Primary education changed from 5 10/12 to 6 as from school year 2021/2022.