Filenews 22 December 2021 - by Despina Psilou
The teachers' organization characterizes the issues of violence and delinquency in schools as "very serious", underlining the need to take measures to prevent and address these phenomena. OMEMEK, in fact, calls on the Ministry of Education to proceed with the implementation of its recommendations, ensuring a healthy school environment, mutual respect and solidarity. These are decisions taken by the Pancyprian Conference of General Representatives of OMEMEK (PSGA), at a meeting on December 16th.
Among other things, teachers recommend:
>> To carry out a thorough evaluation of the current situation and the data that have been shaped by the conditions of the pandemic, the results of which should be evaluated by a special scientific team. The Ministry of Education should take a series of comprehensive measures to prevent and address the problem. At the same time, it should build on results and practices that they also apply abroad. In addition, to implement a system for the early detection of critical cases of children from the earliest stages of their integration into education, along with the implementation of a targeted individual action plan for each case.
>> To modernize the existing legislation so that support services can intervene and support children with serious psychological problems.
>> To implement, effectively and comprehensively, the new legislation passed in 2020 by the Parliament for the prevention and confrontation of school violence. In addition, the Safe School Team (OAS) and the Observatory for Violence at School (PAVIS) should be staffed with specialized personnel. At the same time, the "National Advisory Committee on issues of school violence" should be established, as provided for by the legislation.
>> To create Alternative Education structures (inside and outside school units) to support students with extreme delinquent behaviour and with the ultimate goal of the smooth reintegration of the latter into school units. In addition, to create Support Centres for psycho-emotional assessment and support of children and families of critical groups of students.
>> To introduce on a consistent basis, programs that enhance students' social, emotional and communication skills.
>> To revise the policy on illiterate children, as well as to further improve policy for children with migrant biography and to create reception classes.
>> To implement the commitments regarding the guarding of secondary education schools and to place security monitors in lower secondary schools from the school year 2021-2022.
>> To increase the number of counselling and vocational education teachers as well as the number of educational psychologists.
>> To improve the mechanism for identifying and supporting children with learning, emotional and other problems in a short period of time and to conduct an exhibition with practical instructions for teachers.
>> To regulate the transportation and use of mobile phones in school premises.
>> Teachers and their properties should be insured by the ministry.
>> To train physical education teachers in First Aid issues.
>> First Aid should also be introduced as a course in Technical Schools.
