Education Ministry guide: school violence offenders need support too

Local educationschool violenceschools Education Ministry guide: school violence offenders need support too Via Sta Sxolia Relevant News Mafia State corruption report: who is accused and what the allegations are 16 June 2026 Education Ministry guide: school violence offenders need support too 16 June 2026 Former president Anastasiades faces corruption findinds, felony in Mafia State probe 16 June 2026 Evangelia Sizopoulou 16 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Schools dealing with violent incidents must also support the children responsible for the violence, not just their victims, according to a new Ministry of Education guide. Beyond facing consequences for their actions, offenders need effective support to help them and prevent them repeating such behaviour, the guide states. If that is achieved, the benefit extends not just to the children and the school but to society more broadly. The guide on supporting everyone involved in a violent incident at a school was jointly prepared by two Ministry of Education Services, the Educational Psychology Service and the Counselling and Career Education Service. Phileleftheros presented most of the document in a report yesterday. For perpetrators, victims and the students who witnessed the incident, the guide says efforts should be made to support each person individually once the incident has ended and the physical safety of the school community has been secured. The main goal, it states, is to protect and restore students’ psychological balance, prevent the behaviour recurring, and maintain a supportive approach until everyone has fully returned to their normal routine. Beyond the procedures schools must follow, which are set out in the Guide sent to school units, particular emphasis should be placed on the emotional support and protection of both the victims and the perpetrator, in order to prevent the behaviour being repeated. Disciplinary measures Disciplinary measures imposed in such cases often spark intense debate, the Services note. They stress that when these measures are applied, schools must always take into account the Operating Rules for Primary and Secondary Education, as well as the relevant legislation, the “Prevention and Handling of School Violence Law of 2020, 2024.” The Services say this process should support an approach in which consequences include pedagogically targeted actions rather than punitive measures alone, are documented in line with the relevant regulations and legislation and are proportionate to the act, and carry a pedagogical dimension. Depending on the severity, the specific circumstances of the incident, and the school level involved, the guide says pedagogically targeted actions or relevant school regulations are applied. Among the measures it proposes are counselling sessions, restorative work aimed at building empathy, structured agreements with clear boundaries, consequences and reinforcers, cooperation with parents or guardians, a written reprimand or notice to parents or guardians, and suspension. Read more: Primary school teachers in Cyprus report surge in violence, with many considering quitting Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Mafia State corruption report: who is accused and what the allegations are Former president Anastasiades faces corruption findinds, felony in Mafia State probe FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group H – Spain vs Cabo Verde On this day: The entire action of the novel “Ulysses” by James Joyce takes place on this day Beyond rhetoric: Israel, Turkey, Cyprus and the remaking of the Eastern Mediterranean Anti-corruption chief briefs Anastasiades on ‘Mafia State’ findings Nicosia’s park of the future takes shape as cost climbs past €30m (photos) Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.