Students’ union say repression is not the answer to juvenile delinquency
SOCIAL inequality, negative role models promoted by the media and society’s habit of dismissing pupils’ abilities are to blame for underage antisocial behaviour says pupils’ union PSEM.
At a press conference held by PSEM yesterday, the union’s secretary Maria Mavri said that although the union strongly condemns pupils’ violent behaviour, the constant over-exposure of such incidents by the media only serves in making heroes out of the culprits.
“Over the last few days we have been criticised and blamed. Our small society of pupils consists of 10 per cent of the Cypriot population and represents a mirror of the Cypriot society.”
She then warned that further pressure on pupils would only lead to stronger reactions.
“By putting pupils in quarantine, forbidding them to have fun and installing child minders in schools, just in case pupils create problems, is the worse that could happen.
“With the same logic, we should take similar measures against our society too. Repression is not the answer, that is why we are suggesting prevention measures.”
Among PSEM’s suggestions was the financial and social aid of families with limited incomes, further strengthening of the school psychologist service and the introduction of self-help groups.
Education Minister Pefkios Georgiades met with the Secondary Education Parents’ Union and PSEM yesterday. It was commonly agreed that extra curricula excursions were a burning matter and a two-month suspension of all school trips was ordered until meetings with all parties have concluded.
“It must be made clear that the educational system cannot take responsibility for the extra curricula activities of school children. That is the parents’ responsibility”, said the Minister.
He also addressed hotel owners, bus owners and general businessmen that may have dealings with pupils in planning such school trips.
“We are addressing their professionalism and accountability. Despite possible loopholes in legislation, it is unethical and very dangerous to draw up agreements with underage pupils.”
Out of school activities cannot be forbidden by law, he added, and especially if the child has parental approval.
As far as the cancellation of school trips to Greece are concerned, Georgiades said that PSEM have accepted this.
Finally the Ministry and Parents’ Union sent a plea to the media to “avoid exaggerations and generalisations while covering any incidents, as they are being unfair to the efforts put in by the vast majority of our pupils.”
Education Ministry Permanent Secretary Olympia Stylianou said that the over-exposure of recent incidents was harmful to the resolution of the problem and that changes within society are to blame.
“I am not sure whether there has been an increase in incidents (of underage antisocial behaviour) or just an increase in exposure of the incidents. These are two different things and one of the things that worries us, is this excessive exposure by the media.
“The other thing that worries me is that when a proper investigation hasn’t taken place to clarify exactly what happened, at some point the media could give out the wrong impression.”
“I am not trying to blame the media. As a ministry we are worried, yes. We have started discussions on this subject to find the best way to deal with it.”
The Ministry has already spoken to the Parents’ Association, she added, and discussions with all parties involved will ensue.
“It is known that the root of the problem lies in the more general social changes and social problems, which don’t even fall within the Education Ministry’s duties.”
“It is very difficult to deal with the root of the problem. We are trying, there is room for improvement and that is where we must centre our efforts.”
Meanwhile Hotels’ Union PASYXE President Haris Loizides expressed his intense disapproval of the criticism under which hotel owners have come following the infamous Paphos mayhem caused by pupils on a three day unsupervised school trip.
Most responsible for the incidents, he said yesterday, are the parents.
“So, am I to understand that these people who are criticising the situation are insinuating that hotel owners should become detectives and follow investigation procedures, before accepting a booking? I cannot understand how parents weren’t informed. How did they get the money?”
Hotels also take bookings via the internet, said Loizides, making it impossible for them to know the background of each group of people.
“We are ready to contribute to the effort of finding a solution. We are willing to help the authorities, if there is something we can do to help the situation then we will do it.”
He too criticised the media for given the matter excessive and negative exposure.
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