A total of 510 incidents of violence were reported in 98 schools taking part in a survey for the 2024-2025 academic year, a safe school group report made public on Tuesday said.

Questionnaires were sent out to all public schools, however only 10.85 per cent of primary schools, 42.24 per cent of high schools, 66.66 per cent of technical schools and 0.74 per cent of preschools answered.

In primary education, 37 schools reported 108 incidents of violence, 49 high schools had 328 incidents, ten technical schools 72 incidents and two preschools two incidents.

Director of the Paedagocial Institute and chairwoman of the safe school group Elena Hadjikakou said the group collected and analysed data to form a clear picture of in-school violence across Cyprus and draft policy proposals.

According to the report, verbal and physical violence was worst in high schools. Online bullying was also on the rise.

Data collected by the educational psychology service indicated that the main causes of violence were family difficulties, social isolation and poor integration.

The main proposals derived from the findings is to train teachers in conflict management and identifying early violence indicators, establishing prevention mechanisms and broadening cooperation with parents and local communities.

In most cases, violence was physical and included hitting, kicking, punching, tripping up, pushing and destruction of property, and verbal or non-verbal violence which manifested as teasing, swearing, threatening, mimicking and gestures.

Out of the 510 incidents, 293 were physical violence, 223 verbal or non-verbal violence, 20 spreading rumours or isolation, 24 cyberbullying, 16 sexual abuse and 58 other forms of violence, such as arson and theft.

There were also 53 cases of racism based on colour, followed by nationality and body weight.

Most cases were reported as taking place within the school – 230 in the school yard, 170 in the classroom and fewer in other areas. Outside the school, 25 were on school trips, 11 on the internet, four in the afternoon and eight on a bus.

Furthermore, 96 per cent of cases of violence within the school were among students and in only 4 per cent were others involved.

In many cases, the issue was handled in cooperation with the education ministry.

Boys were also most likely to engage in bullying than girls, with the latter more likely to resort to verbal violence.

Furthermore, there were 64 cases of sexual violence and 39 of suspected victims, mainly in high schools.

The use of social media and the internet in general appeared to contribute to delinquency.

Hadjikakou said the survey would be carried out every year and that the education ministry aspired to receive feedback from all schools.

She added that the education ministry had set up a website for violence and delinquency issues, where all actions across the ministry services are posted.

Also, the education ministry has trained teachers in handling cases of violence.

“For us, the priority is of course cooperation between the school and the home,” she added.

Primary school teachers union Poed chair Myria Vasiliou said the findings included in the report raised concern, adding that the teachers’ union would take initiatives to contribute to the solution.