Serious problems with school infrastructure—including approximately 469 prefabricated classrooms across Cyprus, a shortage of athletic facilities, and issues related to accessibility, safety, and certificates of suitability— were highlighted during Wednesday’s discussion in the Parliamentary Committee on Education, with Members of Parliament and stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased funding, strengthening of technical services, and long-term planning.
The Chair of the Education Committee, DIKO MP Chrysanthos Savvides, stated that three key issues were identified: the shortage of school buildings, sports facilities, and school accessibility for children with disabilities or mobility challenges.
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As he noted, there are approximately 469 prefabricated classrooms in schools, a number that, based on a rough estimate, corresponds to the need for about 20 new school buildings. He pointed out that the problem is expected to intensify in pre-primary education with the further lowering of the age limit for admission.
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Referring to sports infrastructure, he said that there are even sports schools lacking the necessary facilities, while in some cases the playing fields are essentially “open fields.” He also mentioned problems with ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms, and, more generally, access to all areas of the schools.
Mr. Savvidis further stated that a request had been made to the Ministry of Education for a complete and detailed list of schools that hold a certificate of suitability, emphasizing that children’s safety is a major issue. He also noted that simply documenting the problems is not enough; clear timelines, planning, and design are required.
DISY MP Prodromos Alambritis stated that children and teachers need modern, safe, and humane school infrastructure—ranging from the installation of air conditioning and energy upgrades to the replacement of old or dangerous facilities and the renovation of athletic facilities.
He said there is a major issue with prefabricated classrooms, which in many cases serve as permanent solutions, while, as he noted, there have been complaints about prefabricated classrooms that let in water during rain. He also identified budget increases and addressing the understaffing of the Technical Services as critical issues, so that the necessary construction, maintenance, and upgrades.
During the meeting, Mr. Alambritis also requested an update on the progress of seismic retrofitting of schools, inspections of electrical installations and by the Fire Department, as well as on issues related to water quality.
DISY MP Michalis Kounounis made special mention of school athletic facilities, noting that in many cases there is a lack of suitable indoor spaces and wooden floors, which, he said, is also linked to health issues and student injuries. She noted that, while there has been progress in other areas of education, school sports have remained stagnant, and she also raised the possibility of private-sector involvement in certain projects.
DISY MP Nikoletta Konstantinou raised the issue of comprehensive planning, requesting information on the methodology used to determine priorities for school projects and whether a relevant priority list exists.
DISY MP Andreas Konstantinou referred, among other things, to the increased needs arising from the rise in student enrollment, as well as the changes expected to result from the transfer of school boards to municipal jurisdiction as part of the 2029 reform.
AKEL Member of Parliament Christos Christofides stated that the state of school infrastructure is the result of policy decisions made in previous years. As he noted, the budget allocated to the Technical Services for 2027 is slightly lower than that of 2011, during a period in which, as he pointed out, construction costs have roughly doubled.
He added that for a number of years, the Technical Services budget had hovered at levels that essentially allowed only the most essential needs to be met, and he argued that, unless the relevant budget allocation and funding for school boards are substantially increased, the problems will persist.
Mr. Christofides also expressed concern about the low percentage of schools that have obtained a certificate of suitability and described prefabricated classrooms as a “scourge,” noting that in many cases they are problematic or restrict students’ space.
Regarding air conditioners, he questioned the claim that 95% of schools are covered, stating that while several schools do have air conditioners, they are not operational. He noted that the data presented by the school boards, in his view, provide a picture closer to reality.
AKEL MP Anastasia Hasikou stated that visits to schools reveal a significant gap between actual needs and the pace at which upgrades are proceeding. She called for a clear picture of which schools are in immediate need of projects and which have been waiting for years, as well as clarification of the division of responsibilities between school boards and Technical Services.
AKEL MP Ephraim Christou noted that what is missing from the Ministry of Education’s strategy is foresight, especially in areas where the population is growing significantly without a corresponding expansion of school infrastructure. He also referred to the insufficient resources allocated to school boards and to interventions that, as he said, in some cases amount to temporary fixes rather than comprehensive solutions.
ELAM MP Polys Anogiriatis referred to the Audit Office’s reports on issues of safety, health, and air conditioning in schools, noting that, despite the progress and funding provided since 2024, related problems continue to be reported.
DIKO MP Panikos Leonidou noted that many schools face significant problems and called for a more substantive and effective approach to addressing them for the benefit of the children. He spoke of expansions being carried out without adequate planning and of areas where the need to build new schools has been identified for years but has yet to be addressed.
ALMA MP Odysseas Michaelides stated that the state must take every necessary measure to ensure that schools’ facilities and equipment meet the highest possible standards.
He called it unthinkable that there are private schools with much better facilities than public ones, adding that the existence of public schools that truly serve as models demonstrates that, when there is political will, the state can raise public schools to the level they deserve.
During the Committee discussion, Mr. Michaelides also noted that what is lacking is a vision and requested information on how many schools meet the standards set by the Ministry of Education.
Dimitris Baros, a Member of Parliament for Direct Democracy, spoke of a “fear of accountability” and said that responsibility must be taken so that problems can be resolved immediately.
On behalf of the Ministry of Education, the Head of the Office of Civil Defense, Health and Safety, Ilias Markatzis, noted that mechanisms exist for identifying risks in schools and that Health and Safety Committees operate in schools, which are responsible for conducting inspections.
On behalf of the Technical Services of the Ministry of Education, Ioanna Christou said that in safety matters where there is an immediate need, the Services act immediately, while school upgrades and expansions are carried out within the framework of available budgets. She also referred to the understaffing of the Technical Services, noting that they have approximately 30 staff members, whereas they should have 60.
Representatives of school boards raised issues with the Committee regarding insufficient funding, maintenance, and upgrading of school buildings and athletic facilities, as well as the need for a clear prioritization of projects based on risk and urgency.
They also referred to the cost of maintaining school facilities, the process of issuing certificates of compliance, and the inspections required for air-conditioning systems, while noting that available resources are not always sufficient to meet these needs.
POED President Myria Vassiliou stated that there is a need to upgrade schools’ physical and logistical infrastructure and raised specific issues regarding special education, accessibility, overcrowding, and prefabricated classrooms.
She noted that classrooms and laboratories are being repurposed to meet needs, while adding that prefabricated classrooms have, in many cases, limited the spaces where children can play. He also noted that the goal regarding air conditioners remains unfulfilled and that public schools should serve as a model.
The President of OELMEK, Konstantinos Konstantinou, stated that the safety of students and staff is the most important issue and said that the Organization can help document the problems, noting, however, that the process should not be limited to documentation alone.
OLTEK Secretary-General Lenos Loizou stated that these problems are common across schools and called for an increase in the state budget for education, emphasizing in particular the needs of technical education.
Representatives of the Pan-Cypriot Parents’ Confederations reported that there are 69 prefabricated classrooms in secondary schools across Cyprus and approximately 400 in elementary and pre-elementary schools, noting that this temporary solution has, in many cases, become permanent.
They also emphasized the need for schools to have the required certificates of suitability, for funding, as well as issues concerning schoolyards, shelters, special education, and water supply, noting that prefabricated classrooms limit the space available to children for play and sports.
Source: KYPE
