Summers schools must have licence

ALL SUMMER schools must get a licence before they can operate legally or face being prosecuted, the education ministry has announced.

“We usually issue something around now as this is around the time they start operating,” said a ministry official. He said the announcement is also a friendly warning to parents to be careful where they send their children for the summer months.

According to the ministry the term ‘summer school’ refers to schools which remain open between June 1 and September 30 and act as primary, secondary and vocational education. This covers not only private schools offering summer school programmes but any kind of centre that wants to stay open during the summer months. The deadline for licence applications is May 31.

Before the licence is provided, the school or centre must also undergo an inspection. If they do not pass the inspection or are found to not have a licence they may face prosecution.

The law states that no summer school, private organisation or foundation can deem itself such unless it has a licence from the Education Ministry.

For centres providing summer school programmes, the law states that they must apply for a licence from the Social Welfare Services and also must be registered.

A centre can be anywhere that offers care, protection and entertainment to more than two children up to 18 years of age. Private athletic centres must also apply for a licence, However, to the Cyprus Sports Association (KOA). If a summer school’s programme falls under several authorities, they must apply to all of them for a licence.

According to the official for the most part people do abide by the law but “every year of course there are some schools that are problematic.”

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