Addressing School Violence: Cyprus Moves Towards Safer Educational Environments
In a recent House education committee meeting, Dipa MP Alekos Tryfonidis highlighted the distressing situation of a high school pupil who remains in the same school as his abusers over a month after being sexually abused by classmates. The incident has raised significant concerns about the safety and well-being of students in Cypriot schools.
Tryfonidis expressed frustration at the delayed procedures that prevent the victim from leading a normal life, emphasizing the urgency of creating a safer educational environment. The committee’s discussion centered on establishing a new structure to manage children exhibiting extreme behavior, with an “ultimatum” issued to the Education Ministry to implement such a system by June.
Education Minister Athena Michaelidou acknowledged the absence of a current system to address these issues but revealed plans for an “alternative programme.” This initiative aims to provide temporary educational settings for affected students, coupled with specialist support, before their eventual reintegration into schools.
Furthermore, Michaelidou announced the government’s intention to create an electronic file for each student, tracking their progress and interactions with various services from the age of four until high school graduation. This comprehensive record is expected to facilitate direct access to information and enhance prevention and intervention strategies against violence and delinquency.
The minister reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards violence and the importance of maintaining safe school environments. In line with these efforts, an online platform is anticipated to be introduced, enabling children and parents to report bullying incidents. This initiative follows the example set by Greece, where a similar platform has been successfully launched, as detailed by Greek education ministry spokeswoman Christiana Georgaki.
These developments represent a concerted effort by Cypriot authorities to tackle the pressing issue of school violence, ensuring that educational institutions remain havens for learning and growth, free from the threat of abuse and harassment.
