Source: in-cyprus.philenews.com
Cypriot secondary school students will soon be using laser cutters, 3D printers and virtual reality tools in the classroom, as the Ministry of Education upgrades more than 300 school laboratories across the island with modern scientific and technological equipment.
The programme covers Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Design and Technology laboratories in Gymnasiums, Lyceums and Six-year schools across all districts. Schools are already receiving equipment under the first phase of the programme, which covers more than 200 laboratories and is due to be completed by the end of April. A second phase will bring the total to more than 300 laboratories by June 2026.
Giorgos Koutsidis, Deputy Director of Secondary General Education, told Phileleftheros that the equipment reflects the needs of modern education. Design and Technology laboratories are receiving laser engravers and cutters. Physics laboratories are being equipped with mechanics experiment apparatus. Biology laboratories will receive equipment for enzyme activity experiments and for studying plant photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Chemistry laboratories are being equipped with systems for conductometric and pH titration measurements and UV-VIS spectroscopy.
The second phase, launched through a new open tender by the Secondary General Education Directorate, will bring additional equipment to approximately 100 further laboratories. Design and Technology rooms will receive 3D printers. Chemistry laboratories will be fitted with fume cupboards. Biology classes will gain access to augmented and virtual reality applications, including smartphone-based VR glasses and augmented reality T-shirts. Delivery is expected to begin within April and be completed by the end of May.
When the programme concludes in June 2026, all participating schools across Cyprus will have received their new equipment, completing what the Ministry of Education has described as one of the most significant upgrades to school laboratory infrastructure recently.
The programme is funded under Reform C5.1R1 of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, which targets the skills mismatch between secondary education and the labour market.
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