Primary school teachers’ union POED has renewed calls for mandatory safety certification of all primary schools by the Ministry of Education’s Health and Safety Office, following recent student injuries.
The union’s demand comes after incidents including a pupil being injured by glass in a classroom door and another accident on a school basketball court.
POED has formally approached the Ministry of Education, citing Article 13 of the Health and Safety at Work Law of 1996, which mandates employers to ensure the safety, health and welfare of all employees.
In a letter to the ministry, POED called for immediate action to implement inspection procedures for all primary education facilities by relevant authorities to assess building safety standards.
The union emphasised that whilst entertainment venues and restaurants require safety certificates, it was unacceptable that spaces accommodating thousands of pupils daily operate without similar certification.
The letter urged the ministry’s Health and Safety Office to begin assessment procedures promptly, with qualified experts evaluating the suitability of all school buildings.
