Students at Polis Chrysochous gymnasium have staged a two-hour class boycott today, protesting inadequate conditions caused by non-functioning air conditioning and broken classroom fans ahead of a nationwide strike planned for Monday.
The local action precedes a Cyprus-wide student mobilisation announced by the Pan-Cypriot Student Coordinating Committee (PSEM) for Monday, 22 September, targeting the same issues of poor school infrastructure.
Students at the Polis Chrysochous gymnasium announced yesterday they would boycott classes during the fourth and fifth periods today as a protest against non-functioning air conditioning and broken fans in many classrooms, which create poor living and learning conditions.
Nationwide protests planned
PSEM has organised the island-wide student action for Monday, denouncing poor infrastructure and alleged Education Ministry indifference.
In a letter to the Education Minister, the student coordinating committee stated “the situation has reached breaking point in the schools we attend”.
“Since the start of the school year, we hear that schools have no problems, that all necessary preparations were made for the smooth start of this school year. However, the situation we experience daily bears no relation to what is publicly stated,” the letter said.
Air conditioning controversy continues
Regarding air conditioning, students noted that last May the minister claimed “the challenge has been won and more”.
However, PSEM stated the challenge will only be won when air conditioning units actually function in classrooms rather than serving as expensive decorative elements worth thousands of euros.
“Four months after your public statement, air conditioning units not only do not work, but where units were installed, the fans that previously existed have been removed,” the letter stated.
Ministry accused of ignoring student concerns
PSEM reminded authorities it sent a letter on 10 September requesting the reissuing of a circular allowing Bermuda shorts during summer months due to high temperatures.
The committee said it received no response, and telephone attempts to contact the ministry “fell on deaf ears”.
The letter also highlighted that infrastructure in many schools remains ‘tragic’, with frequent power cuts and plaster falling from classroom ceilings in some facilities.
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