Cyprus Education Ministry has said that a total of 1,921 pupils were absent from their schools on December 11 either because they were positive for COVID-19 or because they were close contacts of COVID-19 cases.

According to official data by the competent state services, which the Ministry released on Saturday, 903 pupils were absent from primary schools (1.4%), 591 from high schools (2.6%) and 427 from lyceums/technical schools (2%).

Moreover, according to the Ministry, 85 teachers at primary schools and 37 teachers at secondary schools were absent from their work either because they were positive for COVID-19 or because they were close contacts of COVID-19 cases.

The Ministry assured that it monitors the cases and gives the necessary instructions, in close cooperation with the Health Ministry and the health services.

Meanwhile, addressing the 3rd European Conference on Education, that took place via teleconference, Education Minister, Prodromos Prodromou said that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for European citizens to have the necessary knowledge and skills in order to be resilient and flexible in periods of crisis.