**Title: Concerns Raised Over School Conditions as New Academic Year Begins**
As the new academic year commences in Cyprus, primary and secondary teachers are voicing significant concerns regarding the conditions in schools, particularly the delays in textbook availability and the lack of functioning air conditioning in classrooms.
On Tuesday, Myria Vasiliou, chairwoman of the primary teachers' union Poed, expressed her dismay over the situation, highlighting that many pupils will have to rely on photocopies for their studies due to the late arrival of textbooks. Vasiliou described it as “unthinkable” that in an era dominated by technology and artificial intelligence, students would start the school year without essential learning materials. “A delay of an entire month cannot be treated as a simple technical difficulty,” she stated, emphasizing that this situation forces both pupils and teachers to compensate for the inefficiencies of the education system with makeshift solutions.
The delays in textbook distribution primarily affect subjects such as mathematics, natural sciences and technology, history, geography, design and technology, digital technologies, and religious education. According to a circular issued to primary school heads, the delivery of printed textbooks for the 2026-2027 school year will not be completed until after classes have already begun, with final deliveries expected by mid-October. In the interim, teachers have been instructed to continue lessons using available printed and digital materials, as well as students' notebooks, while minimizing the use of photocopies.
Vasiliou also raised concerns about the environmental implications of relying heavily on photocopies, stating that the mass production of printed materials contributes to unnecessary paper consumption and undermines efforts to promote environmental awareness among students. “There is no room in education for either delays or patchwork solutions. Books must be in pupils’ hands from the first day,” she asserted.
In addition to the textbook delays, the secondary teachers' union Oelmek has highlighted another pressing issue: the lack of functioning air conditioning in many classrooms. Despite previous government assurances regarding the installation and operational status of air conditioning units, Oelmek reported that numerous classrooms remain without adequate cooling systems. The union emphasized that in 2026, it is unacceptable for students and teachers to endure high temperatures during lessons.
Oelmek stated, “It is not possible to speak of a modern and humane school when children and teachers are forced to have lessons under conditions of severe heat stress.” They argued that air conditioning is not merely a matter of comfort but is essential for health, safety, and conducive learning and working conditions. The union criticized the education ministry's explanations for the delays, asserting that technical and electrical issues should have been anticipated and addressed by the state.
“Excuses do not lower the temperature inside classrooms and do not provide relief to either pupils or teachers,” Oelmek remarked. The union has called on the government and relevant authorities to expedite the process of making existing air conditioning units operational and to complete installations in schools where they are still pending. “In 2026, air conditioning in school classrooms cannot be considered a luxury. Safe and humane learning and working conditions are an obligation of the state,” they concluded.
As the academic year unfolds, the issues raised by both teachers' unions underscore the pressing need for improvements in school infrastructure and resources to ensure that all students have a conducive learning environment. The situation remains a focal point for educators and parents alike as they advocate for timely solutions to these challenges.