The use of prefabricated classrooms in schools is not a bad thing, provided there is a problem with overcrowding or renovation projects on existing buildings are underway, said Athina Michailidou, Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth, on Monday. 

“Until the new schools are built and until we have the new, improved facilities, we must have suitable prefabricated classrooms, always with the children’s safety in mind,”, the Minister noted, responding to a reporter’s question regarding the Audit Office’s report, which documents the widespread use of prefabricated classrooms in public schools, and identifying serious weaknesses in the design, oversight, and management of school infrastructure.

Ms. Michailidou welcomed the Audit Office’s report on prefabricated classrooms in schools, noting that the Ministry has reviewed it and submitted its position, which, as she noted, is included verbatim in the report’s appendix. As he explained, the report acknowledges the necessity of using prefabricated classrooms and sounds the alarm to ensure they do not become a permanent solution. 

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“I want to emphasize that all of the Audit Office’s recommendations are an important tool for us to make improvements,” said the Minister of Education, noting the excellent cooperation between the Audit Office and the Ministry and adding that the reports serve as a roadmap for the Ministry’s policies.

“We are working specifically to implement all of the Audit Office’s recommendations,” he assured, adding that a plan has been drawn up detailing how many classrooms are needed, when, and why. “Because having a prefabricated classroom isn’t a bad thing in areas where there is overcrowding—it helps implement policies,” said Ms. Michaelidou.

“For example, we have children with immigrant backgrounds, and we have overcrowding in certain areas,” she continued, noting that “until the new schools are built and until we have improved the new facilities, we must have suitable prefabricated classrooms, always with the children’s safety in mind.”

Regarding safety conditions in these classrooms, Ms. Michailidou said that the Technical Services had issued a circular to all school districts with clear instructions to visit, one by one, the schools under their jurisdiction and inspect all classrooms—not just the prefabricated ones—for safety issues, with the aim of resolving these on the spot, without prior approval, and with the Ministry covering any costs. 

“We have already moved forward with new buildings over the past three years that we’ve been here; we’ve already drawn up a plan,” said the Minister, noting, for example, that “for the next three years, we are allocating €60 million within the three-year budgetary framework, that is, in the state budget, and an equal amount from European funds—not only for new buildings (new technical schools, high schools, elementary schools throughout Cyprus)—which are targeted needs based on specific data—but we are also moving forward with expansions and building renovations.”

He also emphasized “that school buildings had been neglected for decades, immediate action is needed, and we have been taking such action for the past three years and will intensify our efforts even further over the next three years, in part through the state budget.”

Source: KYPE