The Maronites of Cyprus

THE MARONITES OF CYPRUS 23 Before the Turkish invasion there was an Elementary School in each Maronite village. The coeducational Elementary Schools, which had operated in Asomatos and Ayia Marina since 1887 and 1892, respectively, were shut down in 1974. In Karpasha, the coeducational Elementary School (1905) remained in operation with Joseph Toumazos as teacher until 1988 to serve the few children who remained in the village. Finally, in Kormakitis, the Boys School and the Girls School merged in 1965 into a new coeducational Elementary School. This school served the village’s enclaved children until 1999 – during the enclavement period, Elias Kasapis (Headmaster 1974-1991) and Elias Yiallouris (Headmaster 1991-1999) taught classes at the school, along with nuns Bernadette Skordi and Patrick Frantzia. The Maronite community presently has the “Saint Maron” kindergarten and the “Saint Maron” Elementary Educational Institutions ● The "Saint Maron" kindergarten in Anthoupolis. ● Scene with children at “Saint Maron” kindergarten. ● The “Saint Maron” Elementary School in Anthoupolis. School in Anthoupolis, which have been operating since 1987 and 2002, respectively. Before 1995, the kindergarten was called “Saint Anthony” and was located in Acropolis. These are public schools with the same status as the rest of the public schools in Cyprus and they follow the curriculum of the Ministry of Education and Culture. The “Saint Maron” Elementary School is an all-day school and in the afternoon the faculty offers its students traditional Maronite music and Cypriot Maronite Arabic lessons. The school is attended by 95 children (80 for the Elementary School and 15 for the kindergarten) and is supervised by the 11-member Maronites School Committee, which is appointed by the Council of Ministers at the suggestion of the Minister of Education and Culture, who consults with the Maronite Representative. Maronites also attend the Terra Santa (1646) and Saint Mary’s (1923) Latin schools, which are considered “national schools” for Maronites and Latins.