Factors affecting ethnic minority students’ attainment in secondary schools in Cyprus: a focus group study

This is the first study in Cyprus aiming to gain insight into the factors responsible for the low attainment of ethnic minority students observed in earlier studies. Teachers from different schools and cities on the island participated in a focus group discussion. Identified factors related to the child, parents, home environment, teachers, school, and society. Examination of these factors revealed that the socio‐economic status of the family and the character of the current educational system were the main reasons for the disparity in attainment.