The Pancyprian Coordinating Committee of Students (PSEM) has called on secondary school students to walk out of classes for the fourth teaching period on Wednesday, September 16, in protest at conditions in schools, demanding faster air conditioning installation, safer school buildings and a lighter curriculum, among other issues.
PSEM timed the walkout to coincide with a meeting of the parliamentary Education Committee, calling on the Education Ministry to give what it called “substantive answers” to students’ demands.
The Education Minister had promised air conditioning would be installed by the end of 2026, PSEM said. The group added that the President of the Republic said in a statement on Monday that the completion date had shifted to the end of the government’s term, in 2028.
PSEM said that more than a week after the start of the school year, the problems remain unresolved, and accused the government of repeatedly changing its own timelines.
Students could not wait any longer, PSEM said, adding that humane, dignified classroom conditions were not a luxury.
Despite circulars and concessions already won by students over summer clothing, several school administrations continued to ban shorts, the group said. PSEM added that its letter to the Ministry raising the relevant circular had gone unanswered.
Infrastructure at several schools continued to be considered dangerous, PSEM said, and the size of the curriculum had turned the school year into a race to cover material before exams, despite earlier commitments to reduce it.
The group accused the Education Ministry of a dismissive attitude, saying it was acting as though everything in schools was running smoothly and there were no problems. PSEM said this had caused anger among students.
PSEM said it would not back down from its demands or accept the student community being treated with contempt.
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