Addressing the Aftermath of School Abuse
In a recent and troubling disclosure, Dipa deputy Alecos Tryfonides highlighted the ongoing plight of a gymnasium student who continues to attend the same school as his abusers, over a month after being sexually assaulted by fellow students. This revelation came to light during a House education committee meeting that was convened to address issues of bullying and delinquent behaviour in schools.
Tryfonides expressed his concern, stating, “He cannot go to classes, he cannot go to school, he cannot have a normal life because our procedures are being delayed.” The inertia within the education system has inadvertently resulted in the victim facing daily trauma, with no immediate remedy in sight. Questions are being raised about the effectiveness of school discipline and the protection of students from abuse.
The response from Education Minister Athena Michaelidou suggested a systemic gap, as she pointed out the lack of structures for managing badly behaved pupils outside the traditional school setting. Despite legislation passed in 2021 to establish day centres for such cases, progress has been non-existent. Michaelidou’s mention of a forthcoming proposal for an alternative programme has been met with skepticism, given the delay in implementing existing laws.
Education committee chairman Pavlos Mylonas has taken a firm stance, threatening to escalate the issue to law enforcement if concrete proposals are not presented by June. This underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation, as well as the need for accountability within the ministry.
The case at hand is a stark reminder that while policy discussions are essential, they must be coupled with decisive action. The safety and well-being of students hinge on the education system’s ability to not only articulate objectives but to also follow through with effective solutions.
