**Parents and Students to Protest Cancellation of Graduation Ceremony at English School in Nicosia**
Nicosia, Cyprus – Final year students and parents of the English School in Nicosia are set to protest on Friday, voicing their discontent over the cancellation of the school's traditional graduation ceremony. The protest will take place outside the school and extend to the nearby Presidential Palace, as families seek intervention from President Nikos Christodoulides.
The graduation ceremony was canceled in May following an incident during the annual overnight celebration, known as "pinta," which marked the end of the school year. School officials reported that this year's event resulted in significant vandalism, including graffiti, abusive messages directed at staff members, and overturned furniture. According to reports, between 50 and 70 students participated in the vandalism, while the graduating class comprises approximately 160 students.
In light of the events, the school administration has opted to replace the traditional graduation ceremony with a simple presentation of diplomas, omitting the customary celebratory festivities. This decision has sparked outrage among parents and students, who argue that the actions of a minority should not penalize the entire graduating class. Many families had already made travel arrangements to attend the ceremony, further intensifying their frustration.
Parents have expressed their concerns regarding the implications of the cancellation, emphasizing the significance of the graduation ceremony as a milestone for students and their families. They argue that the majority of the graduating class did not participate in the vandalism and should not face the consequences of the actions of a few.
Despite the presence of security cameras and a security guard during the incident, the school administration was unable to identify the individual perpetrators, as many students concealed their identities with masks and hoods. Following the incident, the school offered students the opportunity to voluntarily come forward and admit their involvement, but no students chose to do so. Consequently, the administration made the difficult decision to cancel the graduation ceremony altogether.
In their protest, parents and students are calling for President Christodoulides to reconsider the cancellation, highlighting the unique status of the English School. Although it operates as a private institution, the school's buildings are considered state property, and its Board of Directors is appointed by the Council of Ministers, which is chaired by the President.
The protest is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM, with participants hoping to draw attention to their cause and encourage a dialogue with school officials and government representatives. As the situation unfolds, the community remains divided over the balance between accountability for student behavior and the preservation of cherished traditions.
The English School, established in 1900, is one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in Cyprus. It has a long history of academic excellence and has produced numerous notable alumni. The cancellation of the graduation ceremony marks a significant departure from tradition, and the ongoing protests reflect the deep emotional investment of families in this pivotal moment in their children's lives.
As the protest approaches, it remains to be seen whether the voices of the parents and students will lead to a reconsideration of the school's decision or if the administration will maintain its stance in light of the vandalism incident. The outcome of this situation could have lasting implications for the school's policies and the relationship between students, parents, and the administration moving forward.