A protest against mobile phone restrictions in schools, organised by MEP Phidias Panayiotou, drew only 36 students to Nicosia’s Eleftheria Square today, following warnings from the Ministry of Education about unauthorised absences.
The low turnout came after organisers changed the protest time from 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm in response to the Ministry’s announcement that students leaving during class hours would be marked absent without justification.
Panayiotou claimed the protest had 2,500 online viewers and argued that the mobile phone ban was “the last straw”.
He drew parallels between phone restrictions and COVID-19 vaccination, stating that people should not be forced into either.
The Pancyprian Student Coordinating Committee (PSEM) had urged students not to participate in protests during school hours.
Panayiotou acknowledged PSEM’s position but said the newly formed committee had insufficient time to meet and decide on the matter.
The MEP also called for broader school reforms, citing student wellbeing concerns, while acknowledging that mobile phone use could be excessive but maintaining that restrictions should not be mandatory.
