The use of prefabricated classrooms is becoming increasingly necessary as schools face overcrowding challenges, according to Education Minister Athena Michaelidou. She emphasised that these temporary structures should not be viewed negatively, particularly when they serve the vital role of accommodating students during school upgrades or expansions.
Michaelidou highlighted regions experiencing rapid population growth and schools welcoming more pupils from migrant backgrounds as areas in dire need of additional classroom space. Her remarks came in response to an Audit Office report that scrutinised the extensive reliance on prefabricated classrooms.
“Until new schools are built and upgraded facilities are available, we must have suitable prefabricated classrooms, always with the safety of children as our priority,” she stated firmly. This viewpoint reinforces the idea that prefabricated classrooms can function as a temporary solution to the pressing issue of overcrowding.
The Audit Office’s findings revealed that many temporary classrooms have inadvertently become long-term fixtures in the educational landscape, raising concerns about planning and infrastructure management. Michaelidou welcomed this report, noting the ministry’s proactive engagement, with its views incorporated in the report’s appendix.
“The report acknowledges the need for prefabricated classrooms while warning against allowing them to become permanent,” she added. This duality is crucial for the ministry, as it navigates the fine line between immediate educational needs and long-term infrastructure planning.
Safety remains a top priority for the education ministry. In light of the report, Michaelidou revealed that the ministry’s technical services have issued a directive to all school boards to conduct thorough inspections of their facilities. This includes not just the prefabricated units but all classrooms to ensure the safety of the students.
“Schools have been instructed to address any safety concerns immediately, without waiting for prior approval,” Michaelidou explained, assuring that the education ministry would cover the costs of necessary repairs. This swift response illustrates the government’s commitment to providing a safe learning environment.
In recent years, the government has made strides in delivering new school buildings and has outlined an ambitious investment programme aimed at enhancing the educational infrastructure across Cyprus. Michaelidou revealed that €60 million has been allocated through the state’s three-year fiscal framework, with an equal amount anticipated from European funding.
This financial backing is set to facilitate the construction of new technical schools, secondary schools, and primary schools, along with extensions and upgrades to existing buildings. Michaelidou stressed that the previous neglect of school infrastructure required urgent action, and the ministry’s efforts over the last three years are a testament to that commitment.
Looking ahead, the education minister emphasised that these efforts will not only continue but will be intensified. “Our school buildings were neglected for decades, and we are taking immediate action to rectify this,” she concluded, signalling a focused approach towards addressing the educational needs of the nation.
