Students pressed ahead with a classroom boycott today, Monday 22 September, protesting persistent problems across many schools, chiefly non-operational air conditioning and poor infrastructure. The action took place across all cities islandwide during the third and fourth periods, with participation reported at schools throughout the country. It followed an emergency meeting yesterday between pupils and Education Minister Athina Michaelidou, called after a letter from the Pancyprian Students’ Coordinating Committee (PSEM) announcing the walkout.
Photo: Niki Laou
‘Breaking point’: PSEM’s letter to the minister
In its letter, PSEM says the situation in schools has “reached breaking point.” Despite assurances at the start of the academic year that issues had been resolved, pupils report a very different daily reality. Air-conditioning units that were “theoretically installed” are not working in most classrooms, offering no relief from high temperatures. PSEM notes that “since last May the political leadership claimed the target had been met, yet four months on the units still don’t work and, in several schools, existing fans have been removed, making conditions worse.” Students are demanding the immediate operation of AC systems and full implementation of the circular allowing Bermuda shorts during the summer months to help cope with heat in class. The letter also highlights serious infrastructure failures, frequent power cuts, unsafe ceilings and other deficiencies, that put pupils and teachers at risk, and urges the ministry to take swift, substantive action.
Minister’s response: Inspections, uniform policy and a three-year plan
Minister Michaelidou said three core issues were discussed. “First, air conditioning. In some schools units have been installed, but we are waiting for electrical upgrades. No unit will operate officially before inspection. Our commitment was air-conditioned rooms for the Pancyprian exams, and we achieved that,” she said. On uniforms, the minister noted that “the circular allowing shorts has been in force since May and each school may decide if it can apply it. It is permitted in the summer months and during heatwaves.” On infrastructure, she said there is “a three-year programme, and buildings and AC coverage will be addressed gradually.” Regarding the boycott, she added: “We agree with the request, but a walkout does not halt our planning.”
Today’s action and recent walkouts
PSEM had called for a two-period boycott today (third and fourth periods), which some schools adjusted to a single period. In recent days, pupils at several schools, including Makarios Lyceum in Larnaca, Akropolis Lyceum and the Gymnasium of Polis Chrysochou, had already staged walkouts over non-functioning AC and classroom conditions.
