**Etek Calls for Improved School Infrastructure Planning Following Audit Report**
The president of the scientific and technical chamber of Cyprus (Etek), Constantinos Constanti, has emphasized the urgent need for better long-term planning in the country's school infrastructure. His remarks follow a recent report from the Audit Office, which revealed that some prefabricated classrooms have been in use for over a decade, raising concerns about their adequacy as a long-term solution for educational facilities.
In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency, Constanti stated that while prefabricated classrooms can serve as a temporary measure in emergencies, they should not be relied upon as a permanent fix for the housing needs of schools. He highlighted the importance of conducting a comprehensive assessment of school infrastructure requirements and urged for the construction of new facilities or the careful expansion of existing schools where necessary.
“The quality of school facilities is not a luxury. It is a basic prerequisite for quality education,” Constanti asserted, emphasizing that the ongoing reliance on temporary classrooms is not a sustainable approach to addressing educational needs.
The Audit Office's report pointed out significant shortcomings in the planning and oversight of school infrastructure, particularly in light of increasing student numbers and the growing presence of children from migrant backgrounds in certain areas. Additionally, the expansion of compulsory pre-primary education has contributed to overcrowding in schools, necessitating the use of prefabricated classrooms.
Auditor-General Andreas Papaconstantinou noted that the core issue is not the use of prefabricated classrooms themselves, but rather the fact that solutions intended as temporary have, in many cases, become permanent fixtures in the educational landscape.
In response to the Audit Office's findings, Education Minister Athena Michaelidou defended the use of prefabricated classrooms, stating that they are essential in situations of overcrowding while permanent school buildings are being upgraded or expanded. “There is nothing negative about having prefabricated classrooms where there is overcrowding because they help us implement our education policies,” she remarked.
Michaelidou also pointed to the government's efforts over the past three years to deliver new school buildings after a prolonged period of neglect, asserting that these initiatives will be further intensified in future budgets.
Constanti acknowledged some of the government's progress in upgrading school facilities but reiterated that architectural design plays a critical role in the quality of education. He referenced research indicating that the quality of the built environment significantly affects student learning and overall wellbeing.
The Audit Office's report is part of a broader audit focusing on school safety, with a second report regarding electrical installations expected to be released soon. The findings from these audits highlight the pressing need for a strategic approach to school infrastructure planning, which is essential for accommodating the evolving educational landscape in Cyprus.
As discussions continue regarding the future of school infrastructure, stakeholders are urged to consider the long-term implications of current practices and to prioritize the development of sustainable solutions that will meet the needs of students and educators alike.