Newsroom
Concerns are mounting over increasing drug use, violence, and delinquency in Cyprus' schools, with experts and officials warning that urgent action is needed. Alarming testimonies were presented at a parliamentary education committee meeting, including reports of a “drug dealer” found on school grounds and claims that, in some parts of Europe, students have even been known to sell their classmates for money.
These revelations have intensified calls for immediate intervention, particularly the permanent inclusion of social workers in schools to help address the root causes of these issues.
The committee heard from multiple experts who unanimously agreed that social workers should be a permanent fixture in public schools. Their presence, they argued, would not only help manage incidents of violence and addiction but, more importantly, serve as a preventive measure.
Police representative Stella Charalambidou confirmed that juvenile delinquency is a growing problem and said that law enforcement views the inclusion of social workers in schools as a positive step. Other officials echoed this, pointing out that social workers within the police force have already been referring young offenders to treatment programs, with 70 students sent for rehabilitation in the past three years alone.
Despite the clear need for support, concerns were raised about the severe shortage of educational psychologists in the system. Currently, there is only one psychologist available for every 1,850 students—a ratio far from adequate in addressing the growing challenges in schools.
DISY MP Haralambos Pazaros stressed that many of the issues plaguing public education stem from deeper social and domestic problems. While the Ministry of Education provides educational psychology services, these specialists often deal with cases only after a crisis has already unfolded. Social workers, on the other hand, could act as an early intervention measure, identifying and addressing issues before they escalate into serious problems.
AKEL MP Christos Christofides also highlighted that prevention is not only a social necessity but also a financial one. He pointed out that investing in social workers today would reduce the future need for increased police officers, prison staff, and rehabilitation services.
"The real solution," Christofides argued, "isn’t about rushing to increase prison sentences when public pressure rises. It’s about creating a long-term plan that tackles social problems at their root instead of reacting to their consequences."
One particularly damning revelation from the committee was that the National Commission on Drugs, which plays a crucial role in tackling substance abuse among youth, has not convened since June 2020. Given the rising number of young people being referred to rehabilitation programs, this lack of action raises serious concerns about the government's commitment to addressing the issue.
