Prodromou blames MPs for loss of EU funding

Parliament’s interference in the preprimary education law have led to Cyprus losing out on €12.2 million in EU funds that were set to go towards reforming the sector, Education Minister Prodromos Prodrmou said on Tuesday.

“The only reason there is a problem is because of the unconstitutional provisions that certain parties added to the law,” he said.

Had deputies voted through the original version of the bill there would not have been any issues, he said.

Prodromou said the original version of the bill specified it would change the starting age for children’s preprimary education to the age of four as opposed to the current four years and eight months.

Currently, the law is before the Supreme Court after parliament rejected President Nicos Anastasiades’ referral.

Anastasiades deemed the law unconstitutional saying it appears to bar citizens from the opportunity to register their child in a private nursery if they wish.

Consequently, the government cannot start introducing children aged four to preprimary education, as the law is being examined by the Supreme Court.