**Title: State Schoolchildren Treated as 'Second Class' Over Safety, Auditor-General Reports**
In a recent report released on Thursday, Cyprus Auditor-General Andreas Papaconstantinou has raised serious concerns regarding the fire safety measures in state schools, suggesting that students attending these institutions are treated as "second class" compared to their counterparts in private schools. The report highlights significant discrepancies in the enforcement of health and safety obligations between the two sectors, which could potentially jeopardize the safety of pupils and staff in state schools.
Papaconstantinou's findings indicate that the regulations governing fire safety in private schools are notably stringent, with provisions that can lead to the suspension of operations if safety standards are not met. He questioned why similar rigorous standards are not applied to state schools, emphasizing that the current approach fosters an environment of unequal competition and undermines the safety of state school pupils.
The report points out that the Ministry of Education lacks a structured supervision system to ensure the quality and completeness of written risk assessments and evacuation plans for emergencies. This deficiency, according to the auditor-general, increases the risk of serious incidents occurring within state schools, potentially endangering the lives of students and staff alike.
During the audit, officials visited 20 schools and discovered that only seven had submitted adequate written risk assessments and evacuation plans to the education ministry. In contrast, the remaining schools either failed to submit the required documents or provided submissions that did not comply with the ministry's guidelines. This situation has led to the conclusion that these documents serve more as a formality rather than a genuine risk assessment tool.
Moreover, the report highlights a lack of centralized, updated, and reliable information regarding the fire safety status of state schools. The education ministry does not maintain a central register of fire safety certificates, making it difficult to identify schools that may be at increased risk. Of the 25 schools examined, only 11 had valid reports on the safety of their electrical installations, and none possessed a fire safety certificate. This absence of certification raises concerns about the potential for uncontrolled incidents during emergencies, which could have devastating consequences.
The report also draws attention to the specific risks associated with technical schools, where the inherent structure of these institutions poses a higher fire risk. In one case involving a technical school in the Limassol suburb of Ypsonas, the fire brigade had conducted inspections the previous year but did not issue a fire safety certificate due to identified deficiencies.
The auditor-general's report has sparked a debate regarding the responsibilities for ensuring fire safety within schools. The Ministry of Education claims that headteachers possess the necessary knowledge of their school environments and should take responsibility for securing fire safety certificates and preparing risk assessments. However, the primary school teachers' trade union, Poed, argues that senior leadership teams in schools lack both the administrative time and specialized expertise required to effectively prepare these assessments.
In light of these findings, the auditor-general has recommended the establishment of a centralized register to be maintained by the education ministry, which would help ensure that all state schools meet the necessary fire safety standards. This recommendation aims to enhance the safety and security of students and staff, ensuring that they are not placed at risk due to inadequate safety measures.
The report has raised significant concerns among parents and educators, who are calling for immediate action to address the safety disparities between state and private schools. As discussions continue, the need for a comprehensive review of safety protocols in state schools has become increasingly urgent, with the aim of providing a safe learning environment for all students in Cyprus.