“Our goal is to conduct a very thorough investigation,” the Ministry of Education states regarding the beating of a 10-year-old student by a group of her classmates in the elementary schoolyard.
This incident is not the first of its kind; as the girl’s mother reported while speaking on the Alpha News program, this is the third time the 10-year-old has been attacked.
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On behalf of the Ministry of Education, Ms. Dora Konstantinou, First Education Officer in Nicosia, assured viewers on the “Alpha Enimerosi” program that “we are here to listen to the parents, of course, as well as the school, and every detail will be taken into account—we have already received a significant amount of information since yesterday,” adding that an initial report has already been filed.
She also noted that a school inspector and a school psychologist will visit the school.
“And this may go some way toward addressing the mother’s concern about how the child will return on Friday, because we made sure the educational psychologist and the school inspector would be present that day.”
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Referring to a previous incident involving the 10-year-old student, Ms. Konstantinou noted that “As far as I’ve been informed, the matter has been resolved through measures taken by the school itself, following instructions from the school inspector. Based on the information we have received from the principal, this incident was resolved through a constructive discussion with the child’s parents.” She added that after hearing the mother’s account, she “will reopen the case.”
The Ministry was immediately informed of the beating by both the school principal and the child’s mother, with Ms. Konstantinou emphasizing that there is zero tolerance for such incidents.
READ ALSO: 10-Year-Old Girl Beaten by Classmates Is in Shock; Here’s What Her Father Told Alpha
“We immediately began communicating with the school. However, we are still awaiting some information in writing from the relevant committee. We are awaiting that information. Our goal is to conduct a very thorough investigation. I don’t want anyone to think for a moment that we’re letting anything slide.”
He added that “the children were under supervision at the time the incident occurred. The people who were supposed to be there were present. They handled the incident. And the children then went back to their classrooms. That particular child received extra support until his parents arrived to pick him up.”
As she reiterated, we must investigate this thoroughly and look into all the children involved, while noting at the same time that we will not allow the situation to drag on and escalate.
“So, this is our job and our responsibility. We are now facing this responsibility. We need to know exactly the context, the situation. What this child and the other children are going through. Where they were in that particular group. And at school more broadly.”
