Education in Northern Cyprus

As Northern Cyprus starts developing the education sector must keep pace to enable the children to grow up within a structured environment that they will recognise across the world. The private and state schools/colleges of North Cyprus are full of local and foreign students clamouring to learn about a brighter future. The need for knowledge is essential in a country that is growing so fast and the thirst cannot always be quenched with class sizes in Northern Cyprus varying so dramatically from 15 in private schools to 35 in state run establishments. So when taking the plunge please bear in mind that your children's prospects will rely on where they start their educational programme!

In view of the above, Sunny Lane School was born, a small private school working in conjunction with the Turkish Cypriot authorities and the Ministry of Education in the UK to provide a top class education for the local and expatriate community living in North Cyprus.

Sunny Lane School of North Cyprus was established in September 2001, in a small rented building and soon grew due to popular demand. It now occupies an enviable location in the foothills on the outskirts of Alsancak village, set amongst a mature olive grove offering the perfect surroundings for all students. From the very start the school has been a pioneer in all aspects of teaching in Northern Cyprus and with 2 new purpose buildings for Primary and secondary education respectively this trend continues. Offering 'state of the art' facilities this North Cyprus school can now offer a complete education from Crèche right through Primary to Secondary including a comprehensive IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) programme.

The primary teaching is in English and is structured entirely around the full National Curriculum with Turkish as secondary. As Northern Cyprus is a bi-lingual country all our pupils are encouraged to embrace both cultures and the teaching staff enjoy using the rich resources of the island to demonstrate a wide range of historical, geographical and social studies. We have strived over the past few years to create the ideal learning environment for the children and as such have constructed a purpose built school incorporating a central courtyard ensuring a safe and secure area for the children to enjoy their education. These North Cyprus facilities are constantly being improved and as a non-profit making educational foundation we ensure every resource is used to its full potential.

Our Northern Cyprus school has a set maximum number of pupils for the whole school of 150 pupils guaranteeing the smallest pupil to teacher ratio on the island 1:15! The results so far have been most encouraging and with the parents involvements in all sorts of activities it guarantees a family atmosphere is carried throughout this Northern Cyprus school.

A brief list of current facilities in the Primary Building

• 12 class rooms
• Computer suite
• Art room
• Kitchen/Dining room
• Hall
• Library
• Sports field
• Outdoor dining area
• Central courtyard / Play area
• 3 School bus

This North Cyprus secondary school offers a dramatic backdrop to the school playing field and demonstrates the forward thinking of this establishment. The facilities are so extensive that once again they are able to claim a first in many aspects of the amenities offered. The Northern Cyprus secondary building can boast the following:

• 7 new class rooms
• Brand new Computer suite with direct broad band website
• Fully equipped Home Economics room
• Fully equipped science laboratory
• Art room
• Library
• Independent secondary halt
• Shower and Changing rooms

Current School staff

• 1 Headmaster
• 12 Class teachers (English Curriculum)
• 4 Class teachers (Turkish Curriculum)
• 3 Class room assistant
• 1 School Secretary
• 3 cooks
• 3 Domestic staff
• 3 bus drivers

Teaching times

Mon - Thursday     8.30am - 4.00pm
Friday                    8.30am - 3.30pm

As our Northern Cyprus school progresses we have highlighted an urgent need to continue the education path through in to the secondary level. As a result we have moved up one level into this most challenging area of education.

www.sunnylaneschool.net