Police and the Ministry of Education have launched parallel investigations into an incident at a Larnaca primary school that left an eight-year-old student seriously injured.
The incident occurred last Thursday during break time in the first-floor toilets when the pupil was injured by broken glass from a door.
The child required a blood transfusion after sustaining hand injuries and was initially taken to Larnaca Hospital before being transferred to Nicosia General Hospital.
Following extensive surgery, the student spent 24 hours in the intensive care unit at Makarios Hospital.
The boy’s father filed a police complaint on Saturday, challenging the school’s handling of the incident.
Police investigations are focusing on two aspects: potential negligence by school supervisors, as students accessed an area typically closed during breaks, and the circumstances of the injury, including whether it resulted from children’s play or possible bullying behaviour.
The school’s administration has firmly denied bullying allegations, telling Larnakaonline that three children evaded supervision and accessed the upper floor, which is usually gated during breaks.
“This wasn’t bullying – the children forcefully pushed the door, causing the glass to fall on the student, resulting in serious injury,” the administration stated, adding that teachers applied pressure to the child’s artery while awaiting emergency services.
Recorded statements from students present during the incident are expected to shed light on the case.
Larnaca Police spokesman Spyros Chrysostomou confirmed the eight-year-old has been discharged, and authorities have requested the child provide a video-recorded statement.
At least two other children will also give statements, while parents and teachers will be interviewed.
Police sources told philenews that current evidence does not support claims of bullying.
Ernie Sismani, head of the Ministry’s Educational Psychology Service, described it as “a very serious incident under investigation” and confirmed psychological support would be available to the school, the student’s family, and witnesses if requested.
Following the incident, AKEL MP Andreas Pasiourtides has written to parliament’s director-general requesting information about the ministry’s plans to replace conventional glass panels with tempered safety glass in schools.
