Students across Cyprus are set to stage the first organised protest of the new academic year, with the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee of Students (PSEM) calling for a classroom walkout during the fourth teaching period on Wednesday.
The action comes just nine days after secondary schools reopened and centres on demands for improved school infrastructure, faster installation of air conditioning systems, changes to student dress rules and a reduction in curriculum demands.
Ministry urges dialogue
Education Minister Athena Michaelidou acknowledged students' right to express their views but said dialogue and proper information should come before protest action.
In a written statement issued ahead of the walkout, Michaelidou said the government had already identified the issues raised by PSEM as priorities and was working to address them.
She pointed to ongoing efforts to reduce curriculum demands, noting that for the first time the material taught in class now corresponds directly to examinable content.
The minister also referenced €132 million worth of school infrastructure projects and existing circulars allowing schools to relax uniform requirements during periods of extreme heat.
Air conditioning remains key concern
Air conditioning has become the central issue in the dispute.
While Michaelidou reiterated that all schools would eventually be equipped with air conditioning, she did not specify a completion date in her statement.
The issue has become politically sensitive following earlier government commitments on the rollout.
Students argue that successive timelines have been revised and say they are no longer willing to wait for improvements they consider essential rather than optional.
According to PSEM, acceptable classroom conditions should not be treated as a luxury.
Additional grievances
Beyond air conditioning, students have raised concerns about school facilities that they believe present safety issues.
The organisation also argues that, despite reforms, the curriculum remains excessively demanding and turns the school year into a race to complete material before examinations.
Uniform policies remain another source of frustration.
PSEM says some schools continue to prohibit shorts despite ministry guidance permitting greater flexibility during periods of high temperatures.
The student organisation also claims a letter it sent to the ministry on the issue remains unanswered.
Protest coincides with parliamentary discussion
The walkout has been scheduled to coincide with a meeting of the House Education Committee, where issues affecting schools are expected to be discussed.
PSEM says it is seeking "substantive answers" from the government, while the ministry insists that many of the concerns raised are already being addressed through ongoing reforms and investment programmes.
