Cyprus: Criticism of school policy – prefabricated classrooms become a permanent solution
Cyprus: Criticism of school policy – prefabricated classrooms become a permanent solution
In Cyprus, criticism of the long-term planning of the public school infrastructure is growing. After the Court of Auditors revealed that some prefabricated classrooms have been in use for more than ten years, the Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus (Etek) is calling for a fundamental rethink in school planning.
The president of Etek, Constantinos Constanti, told the Cyprus News Agency that prefabricated classrooms are only suitable for short-term emergencies or temporary shortages. However, they are unsuitable as a permanent solution for the increasing need for space in schools.
In the opinion of the Chamber, Cyprus lacks a long-term strategy for the expansion of school infrastructure. Instead of setting up more and more temporary classrooms, the actual need must be systematically analysed and covered by the construction of new schools or a targeted expansion of existing school buildings.
"The quality of the school infrastructure is not a luxury, but a fundamental prerequisite for good education," Constanti stressed.
Court of Auditors sees significant planning deficiencies
The current discussion is triggered by a report by the Cyprus Court of Auditors. It identifies clear deficits in the planning and monitoring of the school infrastructure.
The report- cites rising numbers of pupils,
- a higher proportion of children with a migrant background in individual regions,
- and the expansion of compulsory pre-school education as the main reasons for the increasing overload of many schools.
These developments have led to the construction of additional prefabricated classrooms at numerous schools.
However, Auditor General Andreas Papaconstantinou emphasized that it is not the use of prefabricated buildings themselves that is problematic. Rather, it is critical that container classes, originally intended as a temporary solution, have now become a permanent fixture in many places.
Ministry of Education defends action
Education Minister Athena Michaelidou partially rejected the criticism. She explained that prefabricated classrooms are currently necessary to relieve overcrowded schools while existing buildings are being renovated or expanded.
According to the ministry, numerous investments in new school buildings have been made in the past three years. This will gradually work through a decades-long investment backlog. At the same time, Michaelidou announced that spending on the expansion of the school infrastructure will be further increased in the coming budgets.
Architecture influences learning success
Although Constanti welcomed the modernization measures that have been initiated, he made it clear that school buildings are much more than just functional buildings. The design of the learning environment has a direct influence on the learning success and well-being of the students.
Studies have shown that modern, functional and well-planned school buildings can improve the quality of education in the long term.
The
current report is part of a comprehensive review of the security of Cypriot schools. Another report is to be published shortly, which will deal with the condition of the electrical systems in the school buildings.
The results could highlight further weaknesses in the public education infrastructure and increase political pressure to accelerate long-term investment in the Cypriot school system.
Author: Editors
Source: Cyprus-Mail.com
Original Author: Oliver Wu
