Police arrest protester, as parent demonstrations continue

Teachers’ and parents’ associations on Tuesday condemned threats against educators as some parents continued to protest against Covid measures for schoolchildren, with one arrest made in Limassol.

Protests began on Monday across the Republic as stricter measures were introduced in schools to slow the spread of coronavirus, including facemasks and a SafePass requirement for children as young as six.

In Limassol, parents continued their protest outside the district office of the education ministry, where an explosive device that failed to go off was found the previous day.

Parents blocked traffic on Franklin Roosevelt Avenue for the second day, with Cybc reporting that some clashed with police as they tried to get them to step back.

A 36-year-old man refused to comply, reportedly verbally and physically assaulting an officer.

The man was arrested for obstructing a police officer, assault, and violations of the infectious diseases law.

He was taken to Ayios Ioannis police station to be charged.

In a joint statement, primary school teachers’ association Poed and the federation of primary school parents’ associations pledged their support to teachers.

“Teachers and school directors are not involved in setting the measures and should not be the ones receiving complaints and disagreements against these specific measures,” it said, adding that complaints should instead be directed at the competent ministries.

The associations called on everyone to respect schools, teachers, and most of all, children, who should be kept away from any disagreement or reaction.

“We ask everyone for restraint, and we expect the required respect for the children but also for the teachers who fight daily against the coronavirus in their classrooms”.

Finally, they stressed that “our common goal is to keep schools open, with both pupils and teachers present in a safe environment”.