Pafos Press 12 April 2024
Complaints about extreme incidents of violence and criminal acts, which take place in public schools, were made on Thursday during an extraordinary session of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, with the Chairman of the Committee, Pavlos Mylonas, giving an ultimatum to the executive power that if by June it does not submit specific proposal for the operation of structures, in relation to the protection of children, the competent Committee of the Parliament will proceed with a public complaint, through a press conference.
In her statements, the Minister of Education Athina Michaelidou referred to an increase in incidents of violence in schools after the coronavirus, she emphasized that violence does not start and end in schools, but begins in families, to add that the primary concern of the Ministry of Education is prevention and early intervention in matters of violence and delinquency.
During the discussion, which took place behind closed doors, due to the sensitive data heard and concerning minors, serious incidents of violence were reported involving students, as well as teachers. Specifically, the reports spoke of sexual abuse from students to their classmates, from students to teachers, drug use and trafficking, as well as incidents of causing serious physical harm to students by their classmates.
The Minister of Education and Culture, the Deputy Chief and representatives of the Police, representatives of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, the Commissioner for the Protection of Children's Rights, educational organizations, as well as parents' organizations participated in the discussion.
In front of the MPs, admissions were made by the authorities about "deficiencies and weaknesses", with the members of the Education Committee urgently requesting the creation of support structures for perpetrators and victims, as well as the implementation of the legislation, which according to them remains unenforceable by 2021.
Serious gaps in the operation and coordination of the institutions
In his statements, Mr. Mylonas spoke of "serious gaps in the functioning and coordination of the institutions", "admissions of shortcomings and weaknesses", as well as "absence of support structures for abusers and victims".
As he said, if the Education Committee does not have before June a concrete proposal for the operation of structures for the protection of children, he will give a press conference to denounce the executive power, the Police and those others who are responsible.
According to the President of the Committee, "there is legislation from 2021, which is not implemented", while he pointed out that there is an acknowledgment of this by the relevant Ministries.
He said that the legislation in question provides for the creation of Day Centers and reception areas for children, both victims and perpetrators, as well as their support by psychiatrists, psychologists, sociologists and educators.
Regarding the drug problem, Mr. Mylonas said that it is a daily phenomenon in many school units, to note that there is a lack of coordination and treatment or support for children who are drug users or dealers.
The child's "Electronic Folder" is coming
In her statements, after the session, the Minister of Education, Athina Michailidou, stated that soon her Ministry will have the "Electronic Folder of the child" in its hands.
According to the responsible Minister, "the file will include information on the child's condition from the beginning to the end of his studies", explaining that it can include data available from social welfare services, psychiatric services and other agencies.
He also stated that this file will include information on whether a child is being monitored by a psychiatrist, with the Educational Psychology Service seeing the relevant information recorded and knowing what to do to manage various incidents from the age of four. .
Mrs. Michailidou also mentioned that an alternative schooling program for children will soon be instituted, in which children with delinquent behaviour will attend, adding that after receiving treatment they will return to the school units.
Big increase in school violence after coronavirus
As noted by the responsible Minister, "after the coronavirus, incidents of violence and delinquency in schools have increased".
When asked if the incidents of violence occurring in schools come from foreign students, the Minister of Education clarified that she would not like the conclusion to be drawn that "it is only foreigners who create problems in our schools".
"There is no such typing. Unfortunately, all the recent incidents that have occurred are from Greek Cypriot students," he said.
In addition, the Minister of Education emphasized that violence does not begin and end in schools, but begins in families, to add that the primary concern of the Ministry of Education is prevention and early intervention in the issues of violence and delinquency.
"Our concern," he said, "is the safe school for all. We cannot tolerate violence and delinquency and especially extreme incidents on school grounds."
He added that it is unthinkable for the Ministry to fight to improve learning outcomes, fight to improve the school climate and at the same time tolerate incidents of violence that victimize children or put teachers in a difficult position.
Drastic actions and coordination of procedures are needed, say the MPs
DISY Member of Parliament, Giorgos Karoullas, pointed out that drastic actions are needed, and coordination of procedures, underlining that roles need to be clarified and continuity in the management of both the victim and the perpetrator.
He spoke of a "panspermia of legislation", noting that there is a need for coordination and a protocol for mutual information and immediate intervention in every source, point or person involved in an incident of delinquency.
The MP of DIPA, Alekos Tryfonidis, referred to an incident concerning the sexual harassment/abuse of a student by his classmates in a high school, noting that a month and a half after the sad event and any interventions, the victim is still in the same school as the perpetrators.
"He can't go to classes, he can't go to school, he can't have a normal life because our procedures are delayed," Mr. Tryfonidis said.
He also said that "the possibility of either social work or special schools to support children, victims and perpetrators" should be considered, so that the state provides everything it needs to reduce these sad phenomena.
Source: KYPE
