With the establishment of the new Technical School in Polemidia—which will be able to accommodate multiple specialties and a large number of students—as well as the upgrade of the Limassol B’ Technical School, Limassol will, in the coming years, be in an excellent position in terms of infrastructure for the Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training, stated Dr. Elias Markatziis, Director of the relevant department at the Ministry of Education, to “Entrepreneurial Limassol”.
Regarding the construction of the new Technical School in Polemidia, which he jokingly described as a "palace", the Director of Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training noted that the works are progressing at a very satisfactory pace. According to him, construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, while the move to the new school unit is scheduled for September 2027.
As for the upgrade of the B’ Technical School in the center of Limassol, which is currently under reconstruction, Dr. Markatziis estimated that the project is about halfway through its implementation. As he explained, the second phase of works has just been completed, and the third phase has already begun. This phase will be given particular emphasis during the summer when schools are closed, to minimize disturbance and difficulties during school operation. Mr. Markatziis also described this project as “ambitious,” adding: “Seeing the new wings that have been constructed, as well as those being renovated, we believe any inconvenience is worthwhile, as the school has become particularly attractive and there is great interest from students.” The project is expected to be carried out in five phases in total; however, as he pointed out, the remaining ones will not be as time-consuming as the first, which involved building new facilities from scratch.
Regarding the pilot Technical Gymnasium to be launched in Polemidia, Dr. Markatziis clarified that the morning curriculum of the Gymnasium will not be affected at all. However, two daily periods will be offered with technical and technological courses aimed at connecting theory with practice. As he explained, the program is intended to cultivate technical skills from an early age.
The first study direction will focus mainly on engineering, giving students the opportunity to get to know modern robotic systems, electronically controlled machines, and 3D printing. “Children will be introduced to new technologies so they can understand what is happening in the world and in industry. They will be able to program such machines and run simple programs, adapted to their age,” he stated.
The second track will incorporate certain elements of the first, but place special emphasis on the development of manual skills. As Dr. Markatziis stressed, these skills have been neglected in recent years, although they remain especially important. “It is the brain’s ability to communicate with the body, particularly with the hands. Through effort, manual skills will be cultivated, while at the same time the child will continue to learn theory. This is the so-called ‘learning by doing’,” he noted. He also emphasized that the skills and knowledge gained at the Technical Gymnasium will be valuable even for students who do not continue in Technical and Vocational Education.
The design for the two specialized classrooms that will host the activities of the pilot Technical Gymnasium has already begun. One room will include equipment for robotics and 3D printing, while the other will have workbenches and suitable tools for junior high school students. The classrooms are expected to be ready in September, when the program is set to launch. Dr. Markatziis also referred to the Post-Graduate Vocational Education and Training Institutes for higher technical education, which are housed in a new building constructed at a cost of over €8 million in Germasogeia, as well as the existence of the C’ Technical School.
He made special mention of the Post- Graduate Institute, emphasizing that the number of students is steadily increasing, new programs are gradually being introduced, and both morning and afternoon classes are being held. “It’s a place where one enjoys working and studying. It has tremendous potential to support young people, both from Limassol and from all over Cyprus,” he concluded.
