Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Hi there,
My husband and I are looking to move to TRNC but the only thing that is holding us back is my 12 and 13 year old children from a previous marriage. I have looked at the different international schools online and have checked out the fees and even though to some it may not seem very expensive, to me it is. Considering I have two to pay for, it will cost me a lot. What does everyone think about sending the children to a state run school? Are there any state schools in large ex pat areas where there are other English children? I am really at a stand still here as my ex refuses to help to contribute (he doesn't help in the UK either) and I can't expect my husband to pay for another mans children's education. Has anyone any advise for me please?
Many thanks in advance

I can only think of my daughter, it was over 20 years ago and she was 15 but the Marif College in Nicosia (secondary school) gave preference to those from Uk most lessons were taught in English. They run school buses from Kyrenia. I wish you all the best I'm sure there will be a few Kibkomers here that will give you advice on state education.

19 Mayis college in Girne would be an option. Most of the lessons are in English and possibly entrance will be easier for someone from UK. That certainly was the case years ago and I expect it has not changed. Good luck.

Hi,

We moved her 18 months ago with our 14 year old daughter. We done our research into schooling over here & decided the best thing was to send her private. I learned that the best of the state schools are 99% taught in Turkish. We opted for English School of Kyrenia. It's a good school & all lessons are in English except for the Turkish lessons of course. They have a huge expat attendance there. They offer discounts If you have siblings there. I think GAU offer the same too.
Good Luck.

Can you disclose the annual cost is schooling at ESK please? Happy if you prefer PM reply. Thanks in advance.

The Turk Maarif Koleji is a state run Senior High School pr Turkish Educational College, probably the TRNC equivalent of a good Grammar School, based in Lefkosa and founded in 1964. They have a very good English web site and most of the information you would need, plus all contact details are on it. They have a very smart uniform and you can see the students walking about on occasions. Im not sure, but I believe there is an entrance exam.

ESK also have a good web site and you only need to contact them direct for all financial information.

Given that your children are aged 12 and 13 and you can not afford a private education for them here, I suggest you stay put in the UK. You might also find yourself in difficulties with your x husband and the Courts if you remove your children from the UK, particularly if your x husband is still in regular contact with his children, whether paying for them or not. The authorities here do follow up reports, and take them very seriously. You are not safe moving to the TRNC for reasons unknown, and without a good income you will not be able to support yourselves, as even if you did get jobs, the wages are extremely low, even for teachers compared with the UK, which then begs the question why even they would want to come here, unless they have links to this country. Sorry if I am barking up the wrong tree, but be realistic. I have read your other thread, and you appear rather lacking in knowledge about the place! You will not find droves of English families with kids anywhere. Most of the British here are retired! Few English families, and some of those here for dubious reasons, OR more usually a few that have both a Cypriot & British parent. If you want a FREE school you will have a better choice in the RoC (South) that is part of the EU.

Mine are now 13 (almost) and 14 and go to the Necat British College in Alsancak. Another private English school that appears to be growing in size, rather than shrinking, and I know of quite a few that have moved from ESK, albeit NBC still has far fewer students, but a change of management 3 years ago has seen NBC on the up ever since; During the past year they have added a large modern new building, so as to take on many more students. My children used to go to ESK but frankly their secondary was rather a let down, compared to the Primary. I do find Necat a much more approachable school with a low turnover of staff (that says a lot but many are UK Cypriots so this is home for them too), and my children much happier there as they do not stand for bullying either (they practice what they preach!), and should there be any problems, they follow proper protocol and deal with matters fairly. Here is the link to Necat, just in case you missed this one. The fees, along with individual exam results are published too, and so they are very transparent. All lessons are in English, bar Turkish, and because of the small secondary class sizes, the kids all mix with one another very well, without forming gangs.
http://www.necatbritishcollege.com/

If you wish to send your children to a state school then the Turk Maarif college is a good choice. There is a Maarif secondary school here in Kyrenia. I have checked and if you have come from UK and have not been here before there is no entrance examination.