Poed urges action over schoolbooks, air conditioning and prefabricated classrooms

Nicosia, Cyprus. Primary teachers’ union Poed on Wednesday called on the education ministry to address delays in schoolbook deliveries, air conditioning installation and the use of prefabricated classrooms days before primary schools open on September 14. The union also cited shortages of teachers and assistants.

Classroom conditions

Poed said the education ministry should ensure that all pupils in public schools receive quality education and expressed concern over current conditions.

The union said the government had pledged to install air conditioning units in all classrooms over a three-year period, but that this had not been completed.

“Thousands of children and teachers are starting the new schoolyear in classrooms without the fundamental comfortable temperature conditions,” Poed said, adding that air conditioning concerns the health and safety of children and teachers.

Prefabricated classrooms and schoolbooks

Poed said hundreds of children would be taught in prefabricated classrooms, warning that a solution intended to be temporary appeared to be becoming permanent.

It also reported delays in the delivery of schoolbooks, saying the school year was beginning without the necessary educational material and that teachers would have to cover the gap with black-and-white photocopies.

Parliamentary discussion

Poed called on the education ministry, government and involved organisations to take all necessary measures to ensure quality education for all children.

Meanwhile, Diko submitted the air conditioning issue to the House education committee on Wednesday for discussion at next week’s meeting. Diko MP Panikos Leonidou said the initiative followed complaints from teachers, parents and students and was intended to inform MPs about the progress of works, problems and pending issues.