Ministry of education issues new guidelines for handling school violence

The Educational Psychology Service and the Counseling and Career Guidance Service of the Cyprus Ministry of Education have jointly developed a new framework for managing school violence and delinquent behavior. This initiative aims to provide schools with clear protocols to ensure the safety of the entire school community following incidents. The guidelines mandate that once physical safety is secured, schools must implement individualized support strategies for all parties involved. This includes perpetrators, victims, and witnesses or bystanders. The primary goal is to restore the mental well-being of students and prevent future recurrence of delinquent behavior. The policy defines school violence broadly, covering any form of abuse occurring on school grounds, during transit to school, or during school-related activities. School staff are expected to follow these standardized procedures to ensure consistent responses across all educational units. Ultimately, the program seeks to foster a secure environment conducive to socialization and learning by addressing both the immediate aftermath of violence and the long-term needs of the students involved.