The inauguration of the new Ayia Napa Public/Community Kindergarten and Nursery School took place on Monday, September 29, 2025, a jewel-like project for the city and the wider region, which upgrades preschool education and offers a safe, modern and pedagogically integrated environment for children.
The event began with a blessing by the Metropolitan of Constantia and Famagusta, Mr. Vasilios, in the presence of the Venerable Fathers, and was followed by the inauguration by the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Dr. Athena Michaelidou and the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannetou, as well as the unveiling of the commemorative plaque of the inauguration.
In her address, the Minister of Education, representing the President of the Republic, stated that preschool education is a cornerstone of education and a foundation for social cohesion. She referred to the Government's strategy for quality Pre-Primary education for all children, with the extension of compulsory schooling from the age of 4, the operation of innovative programs, support for bilingual and multilingual students, and the upgrading of infrastructure and curricula.
He also emphasized that the new Ayia Napa kindergarten and nursery school is a significant investment for the future, offers equal learning opportunities, enhances the all-round development of children and supports families, congratulating all the bodies that collaborated on the construction of the project and assured that the Ministry will continue to actively support preschool education.
For his part, the Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannetou, emphasized that today is a milestone for the local community, as a modern, safe and pedagogically sound school is being inaugurated that will constitute an investment in the future of the children and the community.
He stressed that the new school complex has excellent facilities that meet the needs of parents, children and teachers, while meeting a long-standing demand of working families. He referred to the difficulties during a period of economic crisis and the financial obstacles that were overcome to complete the project, at a total cost of over five million euros, and expressed his certainty that the new kindergarten will be a reference point for education and progress in the region.
He expressed his warm thanks to the Ministry of Education and the state services for their cooperation and support, the Directorate and all the associates of the General Directorate of Development and the Recovery and Resilience Fund, the Parents' Associations, the educational community and kindergarten teachers, the Municipality staff, the designers, the architects, the contractor, the subcontractors and all those who worked for the completion of the school. He expressed special thanks to the Minister and the Metropolitan of Constantia and Famagusta, Mr. Vasilios.
In his speech, the Deputy Mayor of Ayia Napa, Mr. Antonis Christou, referred to the importance of the project for the education, care and development of children. He underlined the importance of the modern, safe and pedagogically integrated space for the learning, creativity and socialization of children and thanked the Minister, the State, the European Union and all those who contributed to the completion of the project.
The President of the Ayia Napa School Board, Mr. Sergis Sergis, described today as a celebration for education, society and especially for children, who are our future. He emphasized that the new building is a place of love, creation and learning, where children will take their first steps in knowledge, feel safe, parents will feel confident and teachers will be inspired. Finally, he thanked everyone who contributed to the implementation of the project.
The Architect of the project, Mr. Vasilis Ieridis, expressed his joy at the completion and delivery of the new kindergarten and nursery school, emphasizing that it was a collective and creative effort that began in 2019 and today constitutes an “oasis” and a “small paradise” for children. He thanked the Municipality of Ayia Napa, the engineering and surveyors partners, as well as the Director and the staff who lovingly undertake its operation, and emphasized that for them this project is like “their child” and they will always be by the school’s side for whatever is needed.
The Director of the Kindergarten, Ms. Evi Isaac, described today as a historic day and a milestone for the school, the community and society. She emphasized the crucial role of preschool education in the development of children and underlined that the new modern building meets their needs, offering a safe and educationally rich environment.
He expressed warm thanks to the Municipality, the Ministry, the School Ephorate, the District Education Office, the Parents' Association, the former Principal, the teachers and all the collaborators who contributed to the implementation of the project, with special mention to the architect Mr. Vasilis Ierides for his inspired study.
Finally, he thanked the Minister, the Metropolitan, the Municipality, the parents and the teachers and expressed his certainty that the kindergarten will follow a brilliant path, consistently serving pre-primary education and the all-round development of children.
The event concluded with an artistic program by the children of the Kindergarten, a tour of the new school grounds and a reception hosted by the Municipality of Ayia Napa.
