The decision to relocate one of the prefabricated classrooms at the Tremithousa all-day elementary school does not pose a problem for the school’s operation, according to George Gialouridis, the First District Director of Primary Education for Paphos.
In statements to CNA, Mr. Gialouridis noted that today’s protest is a reaction by a group of parents, noting that the decision was based on the school’s actual needs, as well as the increased demand for portable classrooms at other schools.
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As he explained, 54 students attend the Tremithousa all-day elementary school, and there are currently a total of four portable classrooms. According to Mr. Gialouridis, this number of portable classrooms exceeds the requirements for the operation of this particular school.
He noted that the four prefabricated classrooms are used to serve the needs of third- and fourth-grade students, as well as those in the fifth- and sixth-grade complex. Based on the current plan, he noted, one of the 50-square-meter prefabricated classrooms will be divided into two separate 25-square-meter spaces.
“Nine children will remain in one of the 50-square-meter prefabricated classrooms, and when they have Greek and Math, those nine will stay there while the other seven will go to the other classroom,” he explained, adding that this involves a small number of students who will need to be separated during the teaching of specific subjects.
The First District Officer for Primary Education in Paphos emphasized that spaces measuring 25 square meters are considered suitable for accommodating classes of up to 10 students. Therefore, according to him, the rearrangement of the prefabricated classrooms is not expected to affect the school’s smooth operation.
Mr. Gialouridis also noted that this specific solution had been proposed as early as the previous school year. It calls for the removal of one prefabricated classroom from Tremithousa and its transfer to another school, where, as he said, there is a “desperate need” for such space.
At the same time, the existing 50-square-meter prefabricated classroom will be divided into two smaller, independent spaces, in order to meet the students’ needs for Greek and math classes.
“These needs aren’t going to go away, but they are being addressed,” said Mr. Giallouridis, noting that after one classroom is removed, three prefabricated classrooms will remain, and one of them will be converted into two separate spaces.
He assured that the procedures will continue and urged people not to portray the situation as a problem for the school’s operation, since, as he argued, “it does not create any problem.”
Meanwhile, this morning, a group of parents from the Tremithousa full-day elementary school held a protest, expressing their opposition to the relocation of the portable classroom.
The parents argue that the school’s needs have increased, as the number of students is expected to exceed 60, while also citing existing needs for classrooms and special education facilities.
According to the parents, workers arrived at the school this morning to begin moving the classroom, but left after the parents protested.
Source: KYPE
