Audit report reveals safety deficiencies in Cyprus public schools

The Audit Office of the Republic of Cyprus issued Special Report EE-EY 23/2026, highlighting major safety and health deficiencies in public schools. The report criticizes the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth for failing to implement an effective oversight system for school infrastructure. According to the data, 370 school units, or 74.6% of the total, lack valid fire safety certificates, while only 126 schools, or 25.4%, have obtained them. Furthermore, many schools are operating without updated electrical installation suitability reports. The Auditor General, Andreas Papaconstantinou, warned that these failures pose significant risks to students and staff. Parents' associations have responded to the findings, calling for stricter enforcement by school boards and the Ministry. In response to the ongoing safety concerns, the Confederation of Secondary Education Parents announced plans to publish a list of schools possessing valid safety certificates in September.