Education ministry expands cold water dispenser installations in Cyprus schools

Nicosia, Cyprus. The education ministry has launched a project to install cold water dispensers in schools across the island, with work on the first 25 schools expected to begin by October.

Project rollout

Education Minister Athena Michaelidou said in a letter made public on Thursday that the ministry aims to install cold water dispensers in all schools.

The project began last year with a tender covering 25 schools. Cyprus has more than 800 public schools.

The ministry has allocated €130,000 per year for the dispensers.

Upcoming tenders

A tender for the 2025-2026 school year has already been launched, with works expected to begin by October at the first 25 schools.

A second tender for a further 25 schools is planned for the 2026-2027 school year.

Schools included in the second phase will be selected in cooperation with school boards, taking particular needs into account.

Water quality responsibility

Michaelidou made the comments in response to a question from Larnaca MP Prodromos Alambritis.

She said cold water dispensers have also been installed on the initiative of school boards and parents’ associations, subject to education ministry approval and compliance with technical, health and operational specifications.

Responsibility for monitoring the quality and temperature of water provided to students lies with school boards, she said.

Environmental policy

The ministry’s installation programme forms part of the national strategy for education and green transition 2030 and its policy to create safe, climate-resilient schools.

The education ministry is also providing reusable water bottles to all students through a campaign promoting environmental protection over plastic, aimed at reducing the use of disposable plastic products.