The House of Representatives has approved the President’s objection to the school supervision law, which concerns the responsibility for monitoring students before and after school hours in Cyprus.
The decision passed with 34 votes in favour, 16 against and one abstention, effectively endorsing the President’s referral of the legislation back to Parliament.
The law had proposed that the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth would assume responsibility for supervising students outside school hours.
However, the President of the Republic argued that the school supervision law raised constitutional concerns, citing violations of the principle of separation of powers and potential incompatibility with executive responsibilities.
He also highlighted that the measure would impose significant budgetary costs not included in the state budget and would be difficult to implement in practice.
The vote revealed clear political divisions over the school supervision law.
Support for accepting the President’s objection came mainly from DISY, AKEL, and several independent MPs, while parties including DIKO, ELAM, EDEK, and the Greens opposed it. One MP abstained.
Concerns over child safety and implementation
Supporters of the original school supervision law stressed the need to address gaps in student safety before and after school hours.
They argued that children remain exposed to risks while waiting to be picked up and that prolonged consultations over the past three years had failed to deliver a practical solution.
Some MPs also noted that the proposal included a delayed implementation timeline to avoid immediate financial pressure.
Several MPs used the debate to highlight broader structural issues in the education system.
They pointed to the lack of full-day school infrastructure and the pressure placed on working families, particularly parents who must collect children early due to current school schedules.
Others stressed that the school supervision law should be part of a wider strategy to modernise education services in Cyprus.
Budget and constitutional concerns
Opponents of the law’s implementation emphasised concerns about constitutional limits and public spending.
Some MPs argued that financial constraints should not block necessary social reforms, calling for supplementary budgets instead of legislative rejection.
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