It was 7 September 2023 when President Nikos Christodoulides, accompanied by Education Minister Athina Michaelidou, visiting Akropoleos Gymnasium to mark the start of the school year, made students a specific promise: air conditioning would be installed in all schools within the next three years. Three years on, with a large number of school units still without full air conditioning, this time from Agios Dometios Gymnasium, Christodoulides gave a new timeframe: by the end of the government's term, that is, 2028.
The statement triggered a strong reaction from the Pancyprian Student Coordinating Committee (PSEM), which, a few hours later, called on secondary school students to walk out of class tomorrow, Wednesday, 16 September, during the fourth teaching period, at the same time as the Parliamentary Education Committee meets.
"Those in government keep making promises and then overturning their own timelines," PSEM said, adding that students "cannot wait any longer." Air conditioning is not the only item on the protest's agenda. Students are also raising concerns over unsafe school infrastructure, bans on wearing shorts despite relevant circulars permitting them, and an excessive curriculum load, which they say has already turned the school year into a marathon. They also accuse the Ministry of Education of a "dismissive attitude" towards the student community.
"They are right"
The President, for his part, acknowledged yesterday that students "are right" to react over the air conditioning issue. Speaking at Agios Dometios Gymnasium, he noted that, given current temperatures, it is difficult to hold lessons without air conditioning, and set a new target of having air conditioning in all schools by 2028. He also referred to investments in upgrading school infrastructure and to the expansion of the optional all-day school programme.
First bell for primary schools
The first bell also rang yesterday for primary education, with 52,186 students returning to class, including 8,919 first-graders, while a further 14,398 children are attending kindergarten. The President visited Konstantinoupoleos Primary School in Strovolos, where he toured classrooms and spoke with students to mark the start of the new school year.
Changes after 30 years
The President's tour yesterday concluded with a visit to the "Georgios Markou" School for the Deaf, where he announced €1.5 million in upgrade works to the facilities, due to begin in January 2027, along with €10,000 in emergency support for immediate needs. He also referred to the reform of Special Education, expected to go before the Council of Ministers on 30 September, describing it as the first such change in 30 years, with an emphasis on individualised education and each student's needs.
