Cyprus Parliament criticizes authorities for inaction in special education

The House of Representatives Committee on Education held a meeting on Wednesday with representatives of organizations for people with disabilities to discuss the new legislative framework for special education. MPs sharply criticized the government, accusing it of inaction and delaying reforms.

The committee chairman, DIKO MP Pavlos Milonas, stated that real change requires political will not only from the executive branch but also from political parties and Parliament as a whole.

“We need political will and readiness to find the necessary resources — we are talking about investments in the billions — so that we can achieve our goals,” Milonas emphasized.

He noted that the Ministry of Education should promote amendments already thoroughly examined by the committee, but assessing their actual implementation will take time. According to him, inclusive education cannot be implemented instantly without significant investment.

“Public schools are meant for all children. They need investment, and inclusive education cannot be implemented in one day,” he added, calling for strategic planning.

AKEL MP Andreas Kafkalias criticized the current legislation and the education system as a whole, stating that it does not provide adequate support for children with disabilities.

He pointed out that promises by both the previous and current government to prepare a new law have not been fulfilled. He also noted the lack of concrete timelines and said delays have worsened issues such as overcrowded classrooms and the absence of solutions for continuing education for people with disabilities over 21 years old.

“It is obvious that, in practice, education for people with disabilities is not a priority for the government,” he stated.

DIKO MP Alekos Trifonidis expressed similar criticism, calling the authorities’ actions “unacceptable delays” on such a sensitive issue. He emphasized that the special education law reform has been in Parliament for over a year.

Trifonidis also reminded that his party had previously proposed directing part of bank profits to finance special education infrastructure and support for people with disabilities, starting with €50 million.

“After reaching adulthood, and especially after the death or serious illness of parents, many people with disabilities are left without support and are marginalized,” he noted.

ADHD Association head Marina Georgiou expressed concern about current methods of assessing children for special education, noting that commissions often do not interact directly with children and rely only on teachers’ reports.

The chair of the Cyprus Confederation of Organizations of People with Disabilities (KYSOA), Themis Anfopulu, stated that legal reforms have been delayed for many years despite pre-election promises by President Nikos Christodoulides.

According to her, the Ministry of Education intends to limit itself to partial amendments to existing legislation instead of adopting a full new law. Anfopulu emphasized that without considering the position of the children with disabilities themselves, the organization will not support the changes.