Serious and longstanding shortcomings in the safety of public schools have been identified in a new special report by the Audit Office, which examined fire safety, electrical safety, written risk assessments and Civil Defence plans during the 2025-2026 school year.
The picture that emerges is deeply concerning. Schools are operating without fire safety certificates, without up-to-date inspections of electrical installations and without adequate risk prevention and management plans.
At the same time, the Audit Office found that the Education Ministry does not even possess a consolidated and reliable overview of schools' level of compliance.
Documents for appearance's sake
Of the 20 schools examined, 13 had either failed to submit a Written Risk Assessment or Civil Defence Plan, or had submitted documents that did not comply with ministry guidelines.
Only seven schools had submitted both required documents.
The Audit Office found that these plans function largely as a formal requirement rather than as genuine prevention tools.
The Education Ministry receives the documents but does not meaningfully assess their quality or completeness, does not keep a compliance register and does not monitor whether recommended corrective measures are implemented.
As a result, the report states, the ministry is unable to determine whether schools are operating in accordance with minimum risk-prevention requirements.
This weakness increases the risk of delayed or inadequate responses in emergencies and could create administrative or even legal liabilities.
No valid fire safety certificates
The situation regarding fire safety is even more serious.
Of the 737 public schools across Cyprus, the Fire Service had inspected 496 over time, representing 67.3% of the total.
Only 126 schools, or 17.1%, had received a Fire Safety Certificate at least once.
The Audit Office notes, however, that it cannot even confirm how many of those certificates remained valid during the 2025-2026 school year.
Among the 25 schools specifically examined for fire safety and electrical safety, none held a valid Fire Safety Certificate.
Inspections revealed recurring deficiencies, including:
- An insufficient number of fire extinguishers
- Missing panic bars and emergency door handles
- Locks that obstruct safe evacuation
- Inadequate emergency exit signage
- Deficiencies in emergency lighting
- Safety shortcomings around boiler rooms
Electrical safety concerns
Among the same sample of 25 schools, only 11, or 44%, had a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report.
The Audit Office warned that the absence of updated inspections increases the risk of electrical failures, posing a direct threat to the safety of students and staff.
The report further states that the Education Ministry does not maintain centralised information regarding which schools have valid electrical inspection reports and which do not, making it impossible to prioritise risks and effectively plan interventions.
Technical schools cause particular concern
Particular concern was expressed regarding Technical and Vocational Schools, where the risk of fire or electrical accidents is higher because of workshops and specialised equipment.
The audit found that not a single Technical School held a valid Fire Safety Certificate, while only one had a valid report on the condition of its electrical installation.
The Audit Office stresses that schools are operating without documented confirmation that their electrical systems are safe and without institutional assurance that fire safety measures are adequate.
‘Second-class students’
The Auditor General also raises concerns about unequal treatment between public and private schools.
In private schools, the regulatory framework is stricter and can even result in the suspension of operations in cases of non-compliance.
No equivalent level of enforcement exists in public schools.
According to the report, this disparity creates the impression that public school students are being treated as "second-class students."
The Audit Office is calling for stronger oversight by the Education Ministry, the creation of central compliance registers, meaningful evaluation of risk plans and systematic monitoring of the implementation of required corrective measures.
