Students walked out of classes on Monday, protesting the lack of air-conditioning in classrooms, poor school infrastructure, and what they described as the education ministry’s indifference.

The Cyprus-wide students association Psem warned that protests will escalate if immediate solutions are not found. On Monday walked out for two periods.

In a letter to Education Minister Athena Michaelidou, it condemned school conditions as “unbearable”, saying students are “suffocating” while the situation has reached its breaking point.

Despite official assurances at the start of the school year that preparations were complete and no issues remained, students report daily power outages and stifling classrooms.

“Four months after your public statement, the air conditioners not only do not work, but where they were installed, the fans that previously existed have been removed,” Psem said.

Far from improving the situation, students say conditions are deteriorating, with the air conditioners reduced to “nothing more than decorative elements worth thousands of euros.”

The education ministry repeated that installing air conditioners and upgrading school buildings at all levels are government priorities, with ongoing projects supported by specific budgets and schedules.

Calling the student walkouts “excessive and unjustified,” the ministry emphasised these projects are underway and urged all parties to support efforts to improve schools rather than resort to protests.

“It is clear that unfortunately the issue is also being politically exploited by those who seek to reduce the important reforms being implemented by the government,” the ministry said.

“Enough is enough. The student movement will continue to demand a modern, humane, democratic school, with students at the centre,” Psem said.

MP George Karoullas acknowledged government efforts but criticised the slow pace. “The delays that are being recorded, as well as the fact that many of the already installed systems are not functioning, create conditions that make teaching difficult and degrade the learning environment.

“The discrimination caused by the creation of two-speed schools cannot continue,” he said.

Karoullas also called on students to engage in “productive and structured dialogue” with the ministry rather than disrupt teaching.

His party has submitted a request for immediate discussion at the House education committee, pledging ongoing pressure to ensure modern, safe school facilities for all children.

President of Larnaca federation for parents’ associations Costas Costa said he hoped the students’ walkout would help accelerate air conditioning installations.

He called for “the best possible conditions in school” and suggested launching a tree-planting strategy to improve outdoor spaces such as schoolyards and fields.