The Ministry of Education has seen an increase in accidents as well as antisocial behaviours in schools in recent years, which through the large circular of the Directorate of Primary Education in view of the start of the new school year gives guidelines for early intervention, prevention, but also proper management.
Another particularly important finding is the fact that some school principals do not proceed in time to inform about serious incidents that take place in their school, or if they do, they do not record the events in detail. Therefore, they do not follow the procedure as it is. Specifically, the circular of Primary Education characteristically states:
"It is worrying that, despite clear instructions, several directors do not inform in a timely manner about serious incidents (accidents, misconduct, antisocial behaviour, etc.) or, if they do, they do not record the facts in detail. The principal must immediately and fully inform the relevant E.D.E. and the relevant P.L.E. (with immediate notification to the Office of Civil Defence, Security and Health), by preparing and sending a detailed report of events through the form YPAN DDE 45A (e.g., how/where/when the accident/incident occurred, which teachers were supervising students, Who was involved, what exactly happened, how the school handled it, how the parents/guardians reacted, etc.)".
Also, in the event that the child, who had an accident, was finally detained for hospitalization or was required to be absent from school due to the accident, a new detailed report of events should be sent through a specific form (with references, e.g., what the doctors' diagnosis was, how many days he was kept for hospitalization and where, when he returned to school, whether the parents/guardians claimed compensation from the child's insurance and what possibly happened afterwards, etc.).
Regarding the chapter "accidents at school", the Ministry points out that due to the increase observed in recent years, all teaching and support staff of the school should be constantly alert and strict surveillance of all areas of the school (classrooms, yard, toilets, stairs, underground spaces, etc.) for timely intervention, with the ultimate goal of avoiding accidents and the safety of children. Children need to be under constant supervision, without creating "empty time" between the break and the start of class.
Within this framework of prevention and safety measures, instructions are given for the placement of more teachers where and where needed. Specifically, the circular refers to games in which children climb or stairs/stands, where children can climb. It calls on principals to be particularly careful and to ensure that as many teachers as possible are assigned to supervise.
It is emphasized that the safety and health of students is of primary and essential importance for everyone and that safety and accident prevention in the school area should be a clear priority in the administration and organization of the school. "For this reason, this issue should be the subject of a thorough discussion, in the context of a staff meeting, with the aim of taking specific and effective measures. Timely preventive and protective measures to avoid accidents at school is absolutely necessary," it is noted.
Causes of accidents on school premises
According to the circular of the Directorate of Primary Education, the most common causes of accidents in school premises, for the prevention of which great importance must be given, concern:
>> Fall at the same level (fall during movement, either due to the mode of movement, or due to obstacles that may be a source of risk of tripping, tripping, slipping and falling).
>> Impact on surfaces such as windows opening in corridors, protruding points in yard traffic areas, etc.
The actions that the school is required to take in order to minimize the chances of causing accidents and injuries to students are:
1. The layout of the classroom and the arrangement of the furniture, where the available space allows, should be done in such a way as to ensure the unhindered movement of students and teachers.
2. At the beginning of the school year, during the discussion of the Code of Conduct and Ethics of the school/department, teachers should discuss with the children and point out the importance of arranging school bags and furniture and in general all objects that may be a source of risk for causing injuries.
3. Students should be trained so that they do not get up from their seats except after the teacher's permission and only when necessary. Even if the bell has rung for the end of the lesson or for a break, the students leave their seats in class and after being given permission by the teacher. In cases where it is necessary to move around the room, they should not carry pencils or other objects with them which, in the event of a possible fall, could cause injury.
4. Tidy up school bags and place pencils, compasses and other pointed or sharp objects, which can cause injury, in a case in an inner pocket of the bag, so that they do not protrude from it.
5. To tidy up their personal belongings, e.g. jacket, umbrella, bag with clothes for Physical Education class, etc., which may hinder the movement of students and teachers and may cause an accident.
6. Windows and doors, when open, must be in a position where they do not constitute an obstacle to movement and create a cause of impact and injury.
Need for strict supervision
Among the instructions given for the smooth start and course of the 2026-2027 school year, the need for strict supervision of students throughout the school program, by the teachers of the classes, but also before the start of classes (specifically at the time of 7:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.) as well as throughout the breaks, is particularly emphasized. by the supervising teachers. In the event that a problem is found with the supervision of children during breaks, then measures must be taken, without delay, which may include increasing the number of teachers for supervision.
