Audit office report reveals safety risks in school air conditioning installations

A special report issued by the Audit Office on September 29, 2026, has identified significant safety concerns regarding the installation of air conditioning units in public schools across Cyprus. Inspections at five Nicosia schools revealed that four sites featured makeshift electrical connections, missing safety mechanisms, and instances where units were operational despite lacking necessary certification. Audit officials stated that the Ministry of Education had provided inaccurate information regarding the readiness of these systems, creating a false image of compliance. Critics, including the teachers' unions POED and OELMEK, as well as AKEL MP Christos Christofides, have condemned the government for slow progress and safety negligence, noting that the 2023 pledge to fully air-condition all classrooms within three years remains unfulfilled.

In response, school board officials, including Nicosia representative Nikos Megalemos, argued that the findings were somewhat exaggerated and that safety issues are being addressed. Meanwhile, Limassol officials reported that all local high schools are now equipped with operational units, while middle school installations are roughly 50 percent complete, with full functionality targeted for early 2027. The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the audit’s findings, attributing delays to the complexity of the project and the necessity of upgrading aging electrical infrastructure in school buildings.