Cyprus Education Ministry admits to staffing shortages amid rise in school violence

On November 8, 2026, the Cyprus Ministry of Education acknowledged that support services tasked with managing violence and delinquency in schools require urgent reinforcement. Education Minister Athena Michaelidou confirmed the necessity for additional staff in response to a parliamentary inquiry submitted by Christos Christofides, chairman of the House Human Rights Committee.

Minister Michaelidou detailed the operational status of five specific support services, noting that their current capacity is insufficient to effectively handle the increasing number of incidents reported in schools. Particular concern was raised regarding the Educational Psychology Service, where staffing levels were categorized as inadequate, and the Immediate Intervention Team, which is currently struggling to keep pace with a growing volume of requests for assistance from educational institutions.

The inquiry specifically sought clarity on the terms of reference and staffing adequacy for these departments. The Ministry's admission highlights a critical gap between the demand for preventive, rapid intervention and the resources currently available. While the ministry has identified these shortcomings, the report does not outline a specific timeline for recruitment or structural changes, indicating that the assessment serves as the basis for acknowledging these deficiencies in the face of rising behavioral challenges within the Cypriot school system.