Nicosia: Children with disabilities must continue to dream, Paola Frantzi told President Nikos Christodoulides during an event at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, focusing on special education and inclusion. Frantzi, who is the head of integrated education at KYSOA, the Cyprus Confederation of Organisations of the Disabled, shared her inspiring journey despite suffering from quadriplegia. She holds three degrees and is currently pursuing a PhD, as highlighted by Themis Anthopoulou, head of KYSOA, who introduced her.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides announced the creation of the Special Education and Inclusion Unit within the Ministry of Education. This unit aims to unify all existing Special Education structures and services, providing a centralized point of reference for parents. Frantzi spoke of her experiences in special education, the support she received from teachers, and the challenges she faced. She emphasized the importance of finding positives in education to overcome difficulties, sharing that her determination to dream led her to secure employment. She highlighted that the education system's role extends beyond academic completion to equipping students with resources for entering the job market.
In his speech, President Christodoulides expressed his desire to hear directly from children about their experiences and aspirations for change. He assured that their feedback would be included in ongoing consultations to modernize Special Education legislation. He mentioned his longstanding concerns about Special Education and outlined government measures, including adding 474 school aides in primary and 105 in secondary education. Decisions also focused on the continuous training of teachers and aides to enhance classroom support.
The President also announced the construction of new school facilities for the Special School of Apostolos Loukas and the Special School of the Red Cross Children's Hospital in Limassol. He noted that all Special Schools now operate during the summer, easing the burden on families. Additional measures include extending schooling for children with disabilities up to age 22 and granting parental leave for children with disabilities up to age 21.
Regarding the special unit, President Christodoulides stated that a comprehensive proposal would be presented by mid-July, involving ministers from Education, Trade, Labour, Health, and the Deputy Minister of Welfare.
Themis Anthopoulou of KYSOA emphasized the importance of children's voices in claiming their rights, stating that the future of Cyprus lies in its children, without discrimination against those with disabilities. She highlighted the outdated 1999 legislation and the ongoing fight by parents alongside their children for rights.
The event concluded with a discussion attended by parliamentarians, government officials, and other stakeholders. A statement from the Presidency noted that President Christodoulides identified five key points for the bill's progress: personalized assessments and solutions, fostering a no-bullying culture, teacher responsibilities, and planning for children's futures beyond age 22. He announced another meeting for further assessment.