Filenews 19 February 2026 - by Evangelia Sizopoulou
Multi-million euro projects are in progress as well as as many more are included in the plans of the Technical Services of the Ministry of Education, for the upgrades, constructions and extensions of school units.
The list of Technical Services is long and rich, however, the funds seem not to be enough to do everything that needs to be done and to serve the requests that exist.
The issue of school infrastructure and the planning of the Ministry was dealt with by the Education Committee of the Parliament, before which the director of the Technical Services, Andreas Maragos, stated that this planning for the projects as well as its schedules is subject to the condition of the Ministry of Finance, as it sets specific ceilings for the budgets of the Ministries.
As mentioned during the discussion, the real needs for the Technical Services to be able to meet amount to €1 billion.
However, for 2026 the development budget amounts to €35 million. while the medium-term provides for €40 million. for 2027 and 2028.
It is noted that Mr. Maragos submitted a document with the projects that are being implemented in schools during this period (with a total cost of almost €84 million), with projects that are planned to start in the near future (with a total estimated cost of €7.5 million), as well as projects that have been included in the Ministry's long-term planning.
Regarding the seismic upgrade of the 730 school buildings, it started in 2000 and 78 schools, which were initially assessed as low risk, are still pending.
Over the course of 26 years, some of them need to be demolished, instead of upgraded, based on the techno-economic study.
According to Mr. Maragos, the cost of construction has been increasing exponentially, especially in the last decade, creating even more restrictions.
Announcement of the Technical Services of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth for the school buildings
"Regarding today's publications in the media on issues related to school buildings, the Technical Services of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth point out that the government planning is implemented with consistency, timetables and a clear prioritization.
As far as the seismic upgrade is concerned, 90% of the relevant program has already been completed, which reflects the substantial progress that has been achieved in recent years. For the remaining percentage of school units, techno-economic studies are underway, which are part of the overall planning of the Ministry and determine, with objective and scientific criteria, whether a building is technically feasible and economically advantageous to upgrade or whether its replacement is required. These studies are carried out in the context of the useful life of the buildings and are part of the rational management of public infrastructure, without raising the issue of safety for any school unit.
At the same time, the development budget and the relevant announcements of the Government are proceeding on the basis of specific appropriations and approved projects, with security issues remaining firmly at the top of the priorities. The implementation of interventions in school infrastructure is not fragmentary, but is part of an overall plan for upgrading, modernizing and improving the quality of the public school.
School infrastructure issues are a strategic choice of the Government. An important project has already been completed, while those in progress are progressing on the basis of planning, technical evaluation and fiscal responsibility, with the sole aim of ensuring the safety of students and teachers and ensuring modern, functional and resilient school facilities throughout the country."
