Increase in violence and delinquency in public schools reported by POED

Myria Vasiliou, President of the Pancyprian Organization of Greek Teachers (POED), stated that violence and delinquency in public schools have become the primary challenges currently facing the education system. In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), she described the current situation as critical, noting that schools act as a microcosm of society where such negative phenomena are increasingly visible. Vasiliou emphasized that while teachers often bridge systemic gaps, there is an urgent need for preventive measures and improved management strategies. She specifically called for the reinforcement of existing support structures involving the Ministry of Education and the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare. Beyond the issue of violence, the discussion addressed broader systemic concerns, including teacher appointment methods, the substitute teacher system, new evaluation protocols, and the needs of special and all-day education. The union maintains that these challenges require immediate attention and has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with the Ministry of Education once formal proposals are presented. Despite these difficulties, Vasiliou affirmed that the public school system remains resilient due to the commitment of its teaching staff.