Newsroom
A large number of classrooms across Cyprus remain without operational air conditioning despite previous government commitments and installation schedules, the secondary school teachers’ union OELMEK has said.
The union described the situation as unacceptable, particularly as high temperatures continue to affect the island and students and teachers are required to spend hours in increasingly uncomfortable classrooms.
OELMEK said the lack of functioning cooling systems was incompatible with the goal of creating modern and humane schools.
“Children and teachers cannot be expected to carry out lessons under conditions of intense heat,” the union said, describing the issue as one involving health, safety and acceptable learning and working conditions.
The teachers’ organization argued that technical, electrical and other obstacles should have been anticipated and resolved by the state before affecting the operation of the systems.
According to OELMEK, explanations for the delays offer little comfort to students and teachers facing high temperatures inside their classrooms.
The union called on the authorities to take responsibility and accelerate the necessary work. It said air conditioning units that have already been installed must be made operational as soon as possible, while outstanding installations at other schools should be completed without further delays.
