The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth (MPEAN), in accordance with the coordinated procedures, the study of the data and the planning of the Directorates of Education and its competent services, proceeds with the construction of new school buildings, as well as with the maintenance, repair and improvement of existing facilities, where necessary. Such is the case of the Drosia Gymnasium in Larnaca.
The intervention and attempt of the Mayor of Larnaca to interfere in the planned plans of the Ministry's Technical Services and his insistence on commenting negatively or even if it was possible to cancel the projects at the Drosia Gymnasium is surprising. Similar projects are being carried out in schools all over Cyprus without the local authorities trying to obstruct them and taking on a role that is not theirs.
Indicative of the confusion that seems to be deliberately created is the references made by Mayor Vyra in discussions that took place in the Education Committee of the House of Representatives. But Mr. Byras knows that it is not the House that decides and plans the building program and development, but the executive branch.
Why is he referring to discussions in the House? As Mayor, he has long known that there is a long-term plan to build a high school, but this is not foreseen in the Medium Term Financial Framework 2022-24. Therefore, the long-term planning for any new high school refers to the period after 2024. He also knows that by the end of this year the Ministry of Public Works will have completed a study to decide whether there is a need for a new high school and what the design might be.
How is it possible that at the beginning of the financial framework in place until the end of 2024, the month of June 2022, he is complaining about something he knew about in previous years?
When he is complaining about the condition of the old Transnational Buildings-which he knows the Ministry will soon demolish-can he tell us what the fate and condition of those buildings and the impact on the area would have been if the Ministry had not taken care to acquire them and then rehabilitate the site?
In addition, would the Mayor be prepared to accept any responsibilities of consequences if, as he suggests, the necessary maintenance and repair works are not carried out at Drosia High School?
The Ministry of Education has a very good cooperation with local authorities in different areas, all over Cyprus, with very good results for education and local communities. It is up to the Mayor of Larnaca to choose whether to cooperate for better results or whether he prefers to operate on the basis of a political/party agenda, as his latest reactions show.
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