Students in Cyprus started the year without textbooks. There are shortages of math and English books.

Some students in Cyprus began the new school year without all the necessary textbooks. The biggest problem concerns mathematics textbooks in primary schools and English textbooks in secondary schools. In some schools, teachers received only temporary materials prepared by the state printing house.

The matter has been addressed by the Parliamentary Education Committee. Its members are demanding changes to supplier contracting rules, introducing clearer deadlines, and imposing penalties for delays. The Ministry of Education has acknowledged that this year's contract proved problematic, but maintains that schools have been provided with alternative arrangements.

The textbooks were supposed to be delivered in July

The tenders for the textbooks were awarded in March 2026. According to the adopted schedule, the supplier was to deliver the books around July 19.

However, the agreement allowed for an extension of this deadline by 20 days. After taking into account the additional time needed to send the formal letter, the final date fell around August 15th.

The chairman of the parliamentary Education Committee, Chrysanthos Savvides, pointed out that this date fell during the August holidays and the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when many companies in Cyprus limit their operations.

According to the commission, the very structure of the schedule increased the risk that the textbooks would not arrive before the start of the school year. Ministry representatives reportedly admitted during the meeting that the current contract required changes.

The biggest problem with math

The shortages particularly affected primary schools. Some notebooks and textbooks for mathematics, a subject taught almost daily, were not delivered on time.

The Ministry of Education requested the state printing house to urgently prepare color materials containing the first three chapters of the missing books. These were intended to facilitate classes until the proper textbooks were delivered.

According to information presented in parliament, approximately 80% of the temporary materials have already been distributed to schools. However, this does not mean that all schools have received them. There are over 300 primary schools in Cyprus, and some are still waiting for the materials.

The president of the POED primary school teachers' union, Myria Vasileiou, stressed that printed sheets or small temporary notebooks cannot be treated as a full-fledged replacement for a textbook.

High school students are waiting for English books

Problems also persist in secondary schools. Some English textbooks have not been provided.

The agreements signed obligated suppliers to provide electronic books. However, teachers say this doesn't completely solve the problem, as English classes rely heavily on a specific textbook.

Representatives of general secondary education predict that the missing books should be in schools by the end of September, or mid-October at the latest.

This deadline is causing concern among teachers, students, and parents. The school year has already begun, and some classrooms may still be using substitute materials for several weeks.

Technical schools have received almost all the books

The situation is much better in technical education. According to data presented to the Education Commission, approximately 97% of the required textbooks have been delivered.

The problem, therefore, does not affect all schools and subjects to the same extent. The greatest gaps are currently concentrated in primary schools and English classes in secondary schools.

The Ministry of Education also emphasizes that primary school teachers typically do not begin work directly in September by working through the next chapters of their textbooks. The beginning of the year is dedicated, among other things, to getting to know students and conducting diagnostic assessments.

Teachers' unions, however, respond that this does not justify failing to deliver books on time.

The Ministry wants to order more copies

One of the solutions announced for next year is to increase funds allocated for printing educational materials.

In the 2027 budget, the ministry plans to secure funding to double the number of textbooks. This additional supply would reduce the risk of similar problems at the start of the next school year.

However, this does not resolve the issue of responsibility for this year's delays. MPs are demanding information on what penalties and contractual clauses can be applied to suppliers who fail to meet the schedule.

There was also a demand for future contracts to include earlier and clear delivery deadlines and clear financial consequences for exceeding them.

The Commission wants to change the contracts

The Parliamentary Education Committee has concluded that the current system requires review. Members believe that starting a school year without a complete set of basic textbooks should not be acceptable, even if schools have been provided with electronic files or temporary materials.

The ministry maintains that the problems were not caused by a delayed tender or bid evaluation. The relevant procedures were supposed to be completed on time, and one of the contractors was responsible for the delay.

The opposition, however, points out that the ultimate responsibility for preparing schools rests with the state. The ministry should structure contracts and schedules so that potential problems with one supplier don't leave students without books.

Schools are currently awaiting the remaining supplies. According to official announcements, all missing textbooks should arrive by mid-October at the latest. However, some members of parliament express concerns that this deadline may not be met either.

Sources: Politis, Cyprus News Agency.