Filenews 10 November 2025 - by Evangelia Sizopoulou
The latest serious incidents of school violence and delinquency in relation to the perennial problem that continues to exist in relation to these phenomena, are a headache for the Ministry of Education, which, in addition to its already decided actions, is also proceeding in other directions in an effort to deal with the problem.
Already, in the wake of the broad meeting he held a few days ago on school violence, he began to remind schools of basic actions that they must definitely take.
At the same time, the Ministry of Education continues to run with the installation of cameras and closed security systems in schools, with this process being under the responsibility of the School Boards.
Asked about this, the head of Safety and Health at the Ministry of Education, Ilias Markatzis, told "F" that cameras have already been installed in several schools, mainly in those that, based on the data, are found to have more frequent and more serious cases and incidents of delinquency and vandalism, while the process continues with the number of schools in which cameras will be installed, to increase in 2026.
Specifically, according to Mr. Markatzis, cameras have been installed in about 40 schools, while for another about 100, the Ministry has given the School Boards the money to proceed with the required studies for the installation of cameras.
Asked whether the cameras that have been installed so far in schools have brought results, Mr. Markatzis answered in the affirmative, stressing that through them persons have been identified, who vandalized and destroyed schools.
Parents saw their children destroying schools
In the meantime, the Minister of Education, Athena Michailidou, also made reference to the issues of school violence and delinquency that plague not only school units but also society in general, last Friday, presenting her Ministry's budget for 2026 before the Finance Committee of the Parliament.
Ms. Michailidou said that school violence and delinquency are on the rise, while referring to legislation that was implemented, she pointed out that the actions of the schools helped to some extent, such as the various committees that are being set up but also the cooperation with the Police and with associations of the Anti-Drug Service, which has brought results. "We put emphasis on schools. In what we can do", said the Minister, stressing the great importance of the relationship between school and family.
Asked about the cameras that have been installed in a number of schools as a measure to prevent delinquent behaviour, Athena Michailidou informed the MPs that they are performing, both in the matter of prevention and deterrence, as well as in the field of identifying offenders. As she said, there were cases in which the cameras recorded the children who caused damage to schools and then, Their parents were called, who paid the cost of the damage. The Minister of Education stated that in some cases when parents were informed that their child was involved in vandalism and denied it, when they saw the footage from the cameras they proceeded to settle the expense.
At the same time, the general director of the Ministry of Education, Giorgos Panteli, is currently preparing an important study to strengthen the Educational Psychology Service, as its role in dealing with these serious issues and in managing children who exhibit such behaviours is considered to be very important.
Instructions again in schools
In an effort to ensure the greatest possible security and shielding of schools, the Ministry of Education has again sent instructions to their managements. Some of these circulars concern security supervisors as well as the obligation of schools to record every incident of school violence of any form that occurs.
Specifically, a circular states that: "The obligation for school units to record all incidents of school violence (physical, verbal/non-verbal, social, electronic, sexual, property destruction) is recalled, which arises as an obligation from the "Prevention and Treatment of School Violence Law of 2020" and the "Amending Law of 2024". The recording of incidents should be done by the school units every time such an incident occurs, through the electronic recording tool developed by the Safe School Team."
At the same time, all principals are invited to proceed with the recording of all incidents that have occurred from the beginning of the current school year until today (whether students are involved, teachers, or any other persons) and then to ensure that the incidents are recorded immediately, after the completion of their management.
In addition to this issue, however, the Ministry also returns to the chapter "security supervisors", who are in schools during the hours when they are open. It is noted that at other times, in some schools, guards take over security and protection duties, while, at the same time, patrols are carried out.
Regarding the security monitors, the Ministry reports the following to schools: "For the purposes of ensuring the most effective operation of the institution, the following are clarified:
>> The purchase of Security Supervisor services concerns the surveillance of the school premises, during the period 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. daily, during the days of operation of the school units (excluding school holidays and school trips or days when students are not expected to attend school). Examination periods (e.g. final exams and non-exam exams) are considered as working days (7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.), during which the presence of invigilators in schools is provided.
>> In any case of absence of the designated invigilator, the competent School Board is immediately informed, so that the necessary actions can be taken to replace him by the contractor company.
>> The School Boards, in cooperation with the school administrations and other competent authorities, must inform the invigilators in detail, both about the duties and obligations arising from the terms of their contract, as well as about the particularities of each school unit.
>> In the event that it is observed that the invigilator does not scrupulously observe or does not respond to his duties, the school administrations should send immediate written information to the competent School Board and notification to the Office of Safety and Health.
>> The obligation to keep an attendance register for accounting purposes is reminded, as well as a book of visitors/events.
>> Compliance with the above is subject to control by the competent Services of the Ministry of Education."
