Education Minister Athena Michaelidou addressed concerns about the intense heatwave impacting classrooms on Thursday, acknowledging the discomfort experienced by students and teachers.
The comments came amid calls from the Primary School Teachers’ Organisation (POED) for school closures. However, Michaelidou highlighted the challenges faced by working parents and the need for child supervision.
The possibility of children not attending school “was not considered feasible,” Michaelidou said.
She emphasised that a circular had been issued with guidelines for school management and students to avoid heat-related incidents during the high temperatures.
“Since taking office, we have systematically addressed the longstanding request for air conditioning in schools,” Michaelidou added. “While decades passed without any action, I am pleased to announce that the public procurement process for installing air conditioners in 50 schools was finalised on May 31, 2024.”
“Installation will begin immediately in ten schools per district,” she continued. “We have also outlined a three-year programme for installing air conditioning in all schools. This excludes schools already upgraded through the PEDIA programme and those in mountainous areas where air conditioning is not necessary.”
The Minister noted that with primary schools closing for summer holidays in a few days, the installation of the first air conditioners would provide some relief to educators.
Read more:
