Nicosia: A total of 510 incidents of violence were reported by 98 schools during the 2024-2025 school year, according to the Group for School Safety report on levels of school violence across Cyprus.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the most common forms included verbal and physical violence, while a significant increase was noted in cases of cyberbullying. Furthermore, the quantitative data indicate that incidents of school violence vary by educational level, with a higher prevalence in high schools.
The report, which is being compiled for the first time as part of the Group for School Safety's legal obligation, reflects the situation in Cyprus's schools regarding the phenomenon of violence. It demonstrates that the timely adoption of measures, cooperation among all stakeholders, and continuous evaluation of their implementation are necessary prerequisites for a substantial reduction in incidents of violence in Cyprus's schools. The quantitative data pertain to teachers' knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes regarding issues of school violence, while qualitative data from the Educational Psychology Service reveal that the main causes of violence are linked to family difficulties, social isolation, and difficulties with school integration.
It is also noted that in response to a circular sent on this topic to all elementary schools, 37 schools (10.85% of all schools) reported 108 incidents of violence; in Secondary General Education, 49 schools responded (42.24% of all schools) and recorded 328 incidents of violence; in Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training, 10 schools responded (66.66% of all schools) and recorded 72 incidents of violence; in Preschool Education, 2 schools responded (0.74% of all schools) and recorded 2 incidents of violence.
The report is based on the systematic collection and analysis of data available to the Safe School Team during the current 2024-2025 school year, with the aim of forming a comprehensive picture of the levels of school violence across Cyprus and promoting evidence-based policy recommendations both to the Safe School Coordinating Committee (SCSS) and the National Advisory Committee on School Violence.
The report introduces the context of the phenomenon of school violence, recognising it as multifactorial, with social, psychological, and pedagogical implications. Based on the report's findings, the main recommendations are to strengthen teacher training in conflict management and the identification of early warning signs of violence, the establishment of systematic prevention mechanisms in schools, and the expansion of cooperation with parents and local communities. At the same time, it is recommended that the electronic reporting tool be upgraded to ensure more timely and accurate documentation of incidents, as well as that support for schools be strengthened through additional intervention-based prevention programs.
The report acknowledges limitations related to the heterogeneity of incident recording, as well as low school participation in the process and the subjectivity of recording incidents of school violence in certain cases.
Director of the Pedagogical Institute and Chair of the Group for School Safety, Dr. Elena Hatzikakou, told CNA that the report was prepared for the first time using data from the previous school year, 2024-2025, because that was when the amending law was passed, and it will be drafted every year. She also noted that the Ministry requests and seeks the cooperation of schools in recording incidents of violence and delinquency, precisely so that it can respond to existing needs. When asked when the new annual report is expected to be ready, Hatzikakou said it will be ready by the start of the next school year.