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Students across several schools in Cyprus briefly walked out of class Friday, protesting broken air conditioners in sweltering classrooms.
The strike, which lasted two class periods, ended the same day but underscored growing frustration over what students say are years of unkept promises by Education Minister Athina Michailidou.
“We want the minister to finally deliver on her commitments,” one student told reporters. “The units are installed, but they don’t work.”
Some went further, challenging Michailidou to experience the same conditions herself. “We challenge Ms. Michailidou to turn off her air conditioner for 45 minutes and see if she can manage,” a student said.
Others described unbearable conditions during the heat wave, saying temperatures inside classrooms topped 40 degrees Celsius. One student said two classmates had fainted.
The Pancyprian Coordinating Committee of Students (PSEM), which organized the boycott, said the action was meant to send a clear warning.
“Our message is that we are outraged,” PSEM president Georgia Grigoriou told the Cyprus News Agency. “We want to see results, not excuses.”
Grigoriou said many schools displayed banners with slogans such as “Schools need solutions, not excuses” and “Students’ health above all.”
The group last week released a letter to the minister, citing “non-functioning air conditioners, poor infrastructure, and indifference” from the ministry. It warned that unless concrete steps are taken, students are prepared to escalate.
Grigoriou said no deadline has been set, but stressed that stronger action is on the table if concerns are ignored.
“This was a peaceful abstention to make our voices heard,” she said. “If nothing changes, we’ll move forward.”
She also rejected claims that PSEM is politically motivated, noting that its leaders are elected by students while the minister serves by presidential appointment.
With information from 24news.
