School opening will be postponed the Ministry of Education announced on Wednesday, as dust covers Cyprus, causing respiratory problems to people and making it difficult to see any distance ahead.
High schools and technical schools across Cyprus were scheduled to open on Thursday but due to high concentration of dust in the atmosphere students will start their classes on Friday.
Education Minister Costas Kades told the Cyprus News Agency that he had consultations with the Department of Labour Inspection and the Department of Meteorology and that based on the data they had before them it is justified to postpone opening of schools until Friday.
About 40,375 students will attend secondary general education this year, and another 5,000 will attend secondary technical and vocational education.
“The above decision is imperative as everyone`s primary concern is the protection and safety of students, who belong to vulnerable groups. In this context, the Ministry of Education will continue to monitor the situation and come up with a new announcement if necessary” a press release said.
Due to increased levels of dust in the atmosphere, the Ministry made recommendations to private schools to take all necessary measures, it added.
The education directorates have been instructed to take all necessary measures with regard to cleaning of schools prior to the arrival of the students, the Ministry noted.
The dust is not expected to leave Cyprus before Friday.
Cypriot authorities have been advising people, especially vulnerable groups, to avoid exposure to the outdoors.
