Addressing Extreme Violence in Schools
In a significant move to tackle casos extremos de violência e má conduta envolvendo alunos e professores, the House Education Committee convened a closed-door session today to discuss alarming incidents, including
DEPA MP Alekos Tryfonides expressed concern over the current system’s inadequacies, citing a distressing case of sexual harassment in a gymnasium where the victim continues to face challenges due to procedural delays. “Eles não podem entrar nas salas de aula, não podem frequentar a escola, não podem levar uma vida normal porque nossos procedimentos estão atrasados,” he lamented.
The committee acknowledged the urgent need for a specialized unit for children exhibiting extreme behavior. Foi fixado um prazo para o Ministério da Educação apresentar um plano de criação de uma unidade de apoio a crianças com comportamentos extremos by June. In the absence of action, the committee plans to make a public denunciation.
Despite existing legislation for day centers aimed at addressing such issues, implementation has fallen short. The Minister of Education, Athena Michaelidou, spoke about the forthcoming proposal for an alternative attendance program designed to support and reintegrate students facing extreme challenges.
Michaelidou also highlighted the lack of family support in some cases and the introduction of an electronic student file to facilitate access to vital information by various services. She stressed the importance of prevention and timely intervention, stating, “Nossa prioridade é uma escola segura para todos. Não podemos tolerar violência e delinquência, especialmente em casos extremos no ambiente escolar.”
The session saw contributions from various stakeholders, including police representatives, social welfare officials, child protection commissioners, educational organizations, and parents. This collaborative approach underscores the commitment to creating a safer school environment and preventing delinquency through comprehensive student support systems.
