Twenty-five students in six secondary schools in the Paphos District are supported this year by officers of the Direct Intervention Team, according to George Koutsidis, First Officer of Secondary Education in Paphos.
In a statement to CNA, Mr. Koutsidis said that due to the increase in violence and delinquency, which is observed in schools as a consequence of the new socio-economic conditions, but also due to the increase in incidents of school bullying, the District Education Office has been staffed with OAP (Direct Intervention Team) officers, who are tasked with the duty to intervene in incidents of violence and delinquency.
The OAP, he continued, in collaboration with other agencies involved, such as the Counselling and Vocational Education Services (CVA), Mental Health Services (MHS), Child and Adult Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Social Welfare Services (SSS) draw up an Alternative Programme to address the problem as best as possible in an attempt to avoid incidents that pose a risk to the safety of both the children themselves who exhibit delinquent behaviour, their peers and teachers.
Specifically, he said, OAP officers intervene in high-risk and domestic violence problems involving delinquency, such as, for example, in cases of vandalism, assault, aggression, refusal to comply with school rules and suggestions, unmarked students, incidents of bullying, and other serious crises. This year in our province, he continued, "approximately 25 students in six schools are being supported in this way."
Test to stay measure
Regarding the test to stay measure that went into effect on Monday, January 24, 2022, Mr. Koutsidis said that it is a powerful tool to keep schools open, with the majority of students attending classes with physical presence.
The implementation of the measure, he added, is re-evaluated daily and efforts are made to minimize any difficulties that arise. Students who are contacts, he continued, who wish to undergo the "Test to Stay" are tested daily for seven days through rapid tests conducted by the Ministry of Health's mobile units, which operate in schools, so that they can attend their classes normally.
Those contact children who do not wish to undergo the "Test to stay", as it is optional, must be confined to their homes since the protocol for contacts applies, he concluded.
Source: KYPE
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