Filenews 20 December 2024 - by Evangelia Sizopoulou
Eight actions to tackle violence and delinquency outside school opening hours were decided today by stakeholders, at a special meeting convened by the Minister of Education, on the occasion of recent incidents involving minors. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Justice and Public Order, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, the Chief of Police and the President of the Pancyprian Confederation of Federations of Secondary Education Parents' Associations, as well as managers and officials.
The decisions:
1. Signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the co-competent Ministries/Deputy Ministries and the Pancyprian Confederation of Federations of Secondary Education Parents' Associations, to address violence and delinquency, highlighting the need for coordinated action. The Memorandum will be related to the National Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Violence at School.
2. Pilot implementation of Local Delinquency Prevention Councils for the prevention and management of such phenomena (in accordance with a relevant Decision of the Council of Ministers). Already, in early 2025, the institution will be implemented in Limassol.
3. Introduction of the digital student file from the age of 4.
4. Active involvement of the Pancyprian Confederation of Federations of Secondary Education Parents' Associations (parents' network).
5. Targeted updates/training in schools by the Police and other bodies.
6. Parent training to enhance prevention and protection of children.
7. Intensification of all violence prevention programs operating at the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (YPAN).
8. Acceleration and revision of the procedures and protocols followed by the Ministry of Environment and Energy in cooperation with other competent bodies.
The common assumption of all attendees was that incidents of violence and delinquency take place mainly outside school hours, which highlights the need for a holistic approach to dealing with the problem. Cooperation between schools, police authorities, parents and the wider community is essential to create a safe environment for children, in order to prevent and effectively manage these phenomena.
As far as the Ministry of Education is concerned, he notes that it is proceeding according to the timetables it has set, with the installation of security camera systems and the installation of security monitors in school units (instructions and funds have already been given to the School Boards).
