‘Worrying’ number of incidents in schools to be discussed

Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou on Thursday announced he would meet with secondary education headteachers to discuss the “worrying” number of incidents in schools.

Following several complaints, including a recent sexual abuse claim by a student at a Nicosia school, the minister is expected to meet with the secondary school headteachers’ association on Friday, to discuss issues of behaviour order and the proper functioning of schools.

The education ministry, which had initially rejected the student’s claims that she was sexually abused at the school, said it will discuss the case, as well as the involvement of a minor from another school who was not authorised to be at the premises. Among the issues discussed, will be the assault by a parent against a headmaster in the Famagusta district due to a disagreement over the decreed coronavirus restrictions, the ministry said.

Recent attacks using firecrackers in a Larnaca high school, issues related to the students’ behaviour and appearance as well as other incidents will also be part of the talks, the announcement added.

The meeting was announced a day after the education ministry admitted racism was an issue in schools. It announced the launch of an investigation after the headmaster of a Larnaca secondary school reportedly refused to give a 15-year-old Syrian student their school leaving certificate during graduation claiming he failed to abide by the dress code.