Pupils at Vergina Lyceum in Larnaca face penalties after the Ministry of Education initiated an investigation into troubling images of students performing Nazi salutes and drawing swastikas within the school’s premises.
Deputy Director of Secondary Education, Giorgos Koutsides, confirmed the investigation, stating, “We were informed yesterday and the incident is being investigated. It was a reckless action by the pupils.” He noted that the school director is already aware of the identities of those involved and intends to summon them to his office for disciplinary measures.
Final-year students reportedly posted photos on social media showing themselves making Nazi salutes and vandalising school property with swastikas. It has been suggested that these actions are part of a broader pattern, with pupils allegedly organising and recruiting peers through various online platforms.
One particularly alarming instance involved students creating an Instagram account named “Verginazi,” where they shared Nazi propaganda. Reports indicate that they also defaced a sign originally placed by activists in response to a tree-planting initiative by the Jewish Community of Cyprus. This sign, which had been intended to honour Donald Trump for his role in the liberation of Israeli hostages, was altered by the students to erase a key word and was marked with a Nazi symbol.
Koutsides mentioned that the posts were made at different times and indicated a concerning trend among the students. When asked whether the Ministry of Education would take further action at the school, he confirmed that a provincial officer would be visiting to assess the situation and determine if this is an isolated incident.
Kostas Kosta, president of the organised parents association in the Larnaca district, expressed his dismay at the events, stating, “We as parents are clear and consider these incidents unthinkable. Anything that refers to the Nazi past and particularly symbols connected to the murder of millions of people, we condemn.” He emphasised that ideologies of hatred should not be tolerated in educational environments.
The political party AKEL Larnaca also condemned the actions, asserting that such behaviours cannot be dismissed as mere bravado but are indicative of a dangerous ideology that has no place in schools or society. They called for an immediate investigation and prompt action from both the Ministry of Education and the school administration. Their statement underscored the necessity for schools to promote respect and understanding rather than hatred, emphasising that fascism and Nazism have no place in education, youth, or democracy.
