Safeguarding the Safety and Security of our Children at Greek Community School (GCS)

The concerned parents of Greek Community School (GCS) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia hereby submit our urgent appeal to protect the safety and security of children at school for all stakeholders' kind consideration and appropriate action.

We are writing this letter for the immediate withdrawal of armed police officers from the premises of the school while we implore for a solution that encourages dialogue, safeguards the safety and security of our kids and provides us with a platform for respectful, positive engagement with all concerned parties of a school environment - teachers, parent associations, administration, media, government and parents alike.

We understand that law enforcement organs have initiated a criminal investigation on the administration of the Greek Community School and as part of this have secured a court injunction – restraining order - on the administration through the appointment of a receiver. For the purpose of enforcing the restraining order, police officers have come to the school with full uniform and armed and stayed there for a week. Since then, there has been school disruption as well as fear and commotion among the members of the school community. Regrettably, this happened three weeks before the school year ends and while senior students are scheduled for their final exams.

While the legalities and what drove to this action is a very confusing one, our intention is looking to understand and not stop any criminal or legal investigation, if such is required. Our primary aim is to genuinely point to violation of rights of our children at school.

A case in point is the disruption caused on Thursday, 08 June 2023 as a result of a threat posed by the presence of security forces in the school compound. On this day, the officers with their arms entered into the KG school classrooms allegedly looking for someone with a camera., causing much distress to all. While we understand the intention of the law enforcement organ, we do not believe that armed officers should be present in the school compound while the teaching learning process is underway.

It is with heavy heart that, we, the concerned parents, not represented by any of the parent associations, implore and seek your assistance for two very pressing issues:

1. No guns in the school – what we are asking is for all officers with arms to vacate the premises in order to safeguard the physical and mental safety and security of our kids.

2. We implore that as point 1 is dealt with, there should be a respectful and engaging environment whereby the parents, students and teachers of the school are communicated duly on school plans, relevant academic calendar as well as ensuring the safety and security of the school community. The parents, students and teachers of the school shall have proper representation and an open engaging forum shall be encouraged- unfortunately not the current case.

Considering the above, we strongly implore you and urge all involved parties to engage in a constructive dialogue to help our kids finish in a safe school environment and set the foundation for the coming academic year(s) schooling.

If necessary, we are willing to submit to you the testimonies of eyewitnesses as well as audiovisual evidence in support of our submission.

We, the undersigned concerned parents, with the petition signed below, are addressing you as concerned parents who are not represented by any parent association, community board association or government organization to express our deep concern and ask for immediate remedy and safeguarding the safety and security of our children enrolled in Greek Community School (GCS)