Coronavirus: Internet improved for over 80 per cent of schools

More than 80 per cent of public schools now have access to speedier internet and the project is expected to be concluded by the end of January, the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority said on Monday.

The announcement came after all private and public schools have reverted to remote learning as part of a new set of restrictions that came into effect for three weeks on Sunday in the latest push to contain the spread of the pandemic.

The education ministry has been scrambling to properly equip schools with the technological infrastructure needed for online teaching, including ensuring all pupils have devices to follow class remotely.

In an announcement, Cyta said that the internet connection of 355 schools has been upgraded in a few months. “Because of the urgent situation created by the pandemic, the project is of top priority for Cyta, always in close cooperation with the education ministry,” it added.

Overall, the project will cover 437 public schools – primary and secondary, islandwide. The upgrades, with different speeds depending on the kind of school, were specified by the ministry. Priority was given to upper secondary schools which went to online teaching earlier and which need higher internet speeds, it said.