The Education Ministry has ordered an immediate investigation following public outcry over photographs showing secondary-school students performing Nazi salutes and displaying fascist symbols. The Ministry confirmed to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that it has received images of the incident and has instructed the Directorate of Secondary Education to proceed with a formal inquiry.
According to information provided to local media, a set of photographs was submitted to the authorities alongside a complaint alleging that students not only posed with Nazi salutes but also covered parts of the school premises with fascist symbols. The Ministry’s decision to initiate an investigation came directly from the office of the Minister of Education.
The incident centres on a recent social-media account reportedly created by students from a Larnaca lyceum, where multiple images were posted showing a large group of pupils making Nazi gestures. Some of the posts included captions such as “action brings reaction” and “learning from a young age”. The scale of participation, involving more than ten students, has raised concern about coordinated behaviour and online recruitment among teenagers.
Speaking to CNA, the President of the Larnaca Federation of Secondary Education Parents, Kostas Kosta, condemned the behaviour in the strongest terms. “Ideologies of hatred have no place in schools,” he said, adding that the federation had also received complaints and that a social-media account under the name “Verginazi” had been created by students.
Kostas stressed that any symbolism linked to the atrocities of the Nazi regime is entirely unacceptable. He also noted that the actions of a small group undermine the reputation of the wider student community, which he described as active and commendable in sports, culture and broader society.
The Ministry’s investigation is expected to examine responsibility, the extent of the online activity and whether disciplinary or criminal measures may apply under existing legislation governing hate symbols and extremist behaviour in schools.