THE ENGLISH School in Nicosia returned to normal yesterday with all Turkish Cypriot pupils present, as an 18-year-old pupil from another school appeared in court in connection with the racist attack that rocked the school on Wednesday.
He is believed to be one of a group of around 20 masked Greek Cypriot youths, who entered the English School grounds and attacked a group of Turkish Cypriot pupils, punching and kicking them.
Politicians and government ministers added to their condemnation of the attack, apparently provoked by press reports of an incident between a Greek and Turkish Cypriot pupil over a crucifix, while officials in the north called the government to task for the violence.
The school’s management, teachers, parents and pupils, along with the House President, ministers and all political parties, yesterday repeated their horror at the violent incident and pressed for immediate measures to avert further trouble, with questions raised over the existence of extremist nationalist student movements in the Greek Cypriot community.
The school operated yesterday in what was described as a “serene” atmosphere with all 68 Turkish Cypriot pupils present, though their school bus from the Ledra Palace checkpoint was escorted by police “for security reasons”. Officers discreetly supervised the school grounds throughout the day in case of a repeat.
“Life has returned to normal at the English School today,” read an announcement issued by the school’s headmaster, Stuart Haggert. “Turkish Cypriots have returned to class, and seem very comfortable and cheerful bearing in mind yesterday’s events.”
A representation of the pupils, along with a delegation from students’ union POFLE, met with the headmaster and discussed the events.
The pupils called on the school’s management to take measures to avert similar incidents in the future.
The president of the pupils’ committee informed the school’s head that Monday’s “unacceptable incident” was a continuation of the scuffles that took place during student demonstrations on November 15 at the Ledra Palace and called on the media to stop tolerating such phenomena and for politicians to send stricter messages.
The staff association also met to discuss the situation, though teachers said they wouldn’t be making any comments, following instructions from the school management, who wished for the school to return to normal.
Education Minister Pefkios Georgiades condemned the attack, but said it was an “isolated” incident and expressed the opinion that there would be no further consequences.
He added that schools in Cyprus did not cultivate fanaticism and nationalism, but rather a climate of understanding and acceptance of others.
“We are worried about these incidents. I hope, and I believe, that this was an isolated incident, which will not worsen any situation that has been created.”
The minister brushed off suggestions of organised nationalist pupils’ groups, saying it was evident from the attack that there was a lack of organisation. “They came across a bit of resistance and they abandoned the scene and ran off.” He added he wasn’t aware of which schools the pupils had come from.
“The English School was always a bridge of understanding, communication and co-operation between the communities, both before and after the opening of the checkpoints.
We never had any serious problems. We encouraged and supported the arrival of Turkish Cypriots,” said Georgiades, insisting: “There is no nationalistic propaganda in our schools.”
House President Demetris Christofias blamed the attackers for setting off a “bomb against the foundations of attempts made for years by all political forces – the government, the House of Representatives – to restore relations of friendship, co-operation and honesty among Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, which will in the end lead to a bizonal and bicommunal federation.”
He issued a plea to the media to promote mutual tolerance and trust between the two communities and stop encouraging such chauvinistic outbursts.
“I strongly condemn this invasion on the English School and I hope the parents of these children scold them,” Christofias added.
The deputy head of the school, Antonis Antoniou, blamed the media for Wednesday’s developments too, saying the attack would never have taken place if it hadn’t been for “inaccurate publications” that began on Monday.
Simerini newspaper had reported that a Turkish Cypriot pupil at the English School had taken offence to his Greek Cypriot classmate’s crucifix and spat at it.
“What really charged the atmosphere were reports that were published on Monday that weren’t at all correct. The incident that took place with the Turkish Cypriot was presented in an exaggerated manner.”
The paper also claimed there was animosity between some parents and the school over the school’s Code of Conduct and that children weren’t allowed to wear crosses in school.
But this was strenuously denied by Antoniou, who said the Code of Conduct had been changed last June with the co-operation of all parties involved.
He stressed that symbols such as crucifixes and flags were not banned from the school, pupils were just warned not to wear them in a provocative way.
“Following [Wednesday’s] events, the school’s advisory committee has decided to speed up programmes aimed at the better communication between the two communities, and we hope for the support of society and the media, of which a small portion unfortunately didn’t support us like they should have,” said Antoniou.
The vice-president of the school’s parents’ association, Koulla Zambela, echoed Antoniou and confirmed there was no connection between the school’s Code of Conduct and Wednesday’s events.
She added that Turkish Cypriot parents were understandably upset over the incident, but expressed the certainty that the matter would be resolved through dialogue.
The matter will be discussed during today’s House Education Committee, chaired by DISY’s Nicos Tornaritis.
Tornaritis described the incidents as tragic and said schools must be rid of racism, chauvinism and nationalism.
“Such despicable actions do not just merit condemnation for a few days before being forgotten. Here and now we must begin huge discussions to put an end to them.
“Despite being an isolated incident, it was enough to create negative impressions and reveal underlying feelings of nationalism and chauvinism, which need to be addressed.”
PUPILS’ COMMITTEE PRAISES SCHOOLMATES’ REACTION
THE President of the school’s pupils’ board, Andy Georgiou, said Greek Cypriot pupils immediately stepped in to protect their classmates, which proved there was a climate of friendship and co-operation within the school.
“I’m proud of the way my Greek Cypriot schoolmates rushed to the Turkish Cypriot pupils’ defence and it shows that this experiment at the English School is working.
Through the years, the two communities became close and in the presence of danger, feelings of friendship and protection came out.”
He also referred to the crucifix incident.
“The incident took place on November 7, during gym class. One Turkish Cypriot, wrongly of course, was annoyed by a Greek Cypriot who was wearing a crucifix, and he insulted him with an improper act.
“The Greek Cypriot pupil reported the incident to his teacher, who then informed the deputy headmaster, who decided to punish the pupil in a way he thought correct.
He spoke to both pupils and the matter was closed.”
