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Teachers' Union Calls for Legal Support for School Decisions

Published January 8, 2026, 05:17
Teachers' Union Calls for Legal Support for School Decisions

The OELMEK (Cyprus Secondary Teachers' Union) is calling on the Ministry of Education to provide legal support for decisions made by school teachers' associations and disciplinary committees, as part of measures to address school violence and delinquency. The request arose after a court challenged a decision made by a teachers' association, highlighting the need for legal protection for school authorities. OELMEK points out that the lack of a legal office within the Ministry of Education creates a gap in dealing with such cases, as regulations are often interpreted differently. In addition to legal support, OELMEK proposes the creation of alternative programs for students with behavioral problems, the placement of security guards in all schools, the installation of closed-circuit television, and the reorganization of the OAP (Immediate Incident Response Team) for faster and more effective intervention. OELMEK also suggests cooperation with the police for patrolling high-risk schools. These measures aim to create a safe school environment and protect students and teachers from violence and delinquency. The Pan-Cypriot Conference of General Representatives (PCGR) of OELMEK, which met in December, approved a resolution including all of the above measures to address school violence and delinquency.