Teachers raise concerns over textbook delays and classroom air conditioning

Nicosia, Cyprus. Primary and secondary teachers raised concerns on Tuesday about conditions at the start of the new academic year, citing delays in textbook deliveries and the lack of functioning air conditioning in a number of classrooms.

Textbook delivery delays

Primary teachers union Poed chairwoman Myria Vasiliou said it was “unthinkable” for children to begin the school year without books and to be expected to learn from photocopies.

“A delay of an entire month cannot be treated as a simple technical difficulty,” she told the Cyprus News Agency. “It confirms that pupils and teachers are once again being asked to cover the shortcomings of the state machinery with makeshift solutions.”

Vasiliou also raised concerns about the environmental impact of extensive photocopying, saying it resulted in unnecessary consumption of paper and resources while schools should be promoting environmental awareness.

“There is no room in education for either delays or patchwork solutions. Books must be in pupils’ hands from the first day,” she said.

Subjects affected

A circular sent to primary school heads stated that printed textbooks for some subjects for the 2026-2027 school year will be delivered after classes have begun, with all textbooks expected to arrive by mid-October.

The delays affect mathematics, natural sciences and technology, history, geography, design and technology, digital technologies and religious education.

Until the books arrive, teachers have been instructed to continue lessons according to the curriculum and timetable for each subject, using available printed and digital educational material and pupils’ notebooks, while limiting photocopies.

Air conditioning concerns

Secondary teachers’ union Oelmek raised separate concerns over air conditioning, stating that a large number of classrooms still lack functioning systems despite previous government announcements and timetables.