Special Education After 27 Years of Change: More Support in General Education

Special education is set to undergo reform, making it easier for children with disabilities to attend mainstream schools and providing them with more personalized support. The government has approved a bill that also provides all students attending such institutions with the right to a school-leaving certificate.

The decision was made on Wednesday, September 30. The new regulations are intended to replace the legal framework in force since 1999, but the reform has not yet entered into forceThe bill will now go to Parliament for consideration and may be subject to changes.

Special education with more support in the regular classroom

One of the main goals is to increase opportunities for children with disabilities to learn alongside their peers in mainstream schools. The Ministry wants to place greater emphasis on inclusive education, meaning collaborative learning with support tailored to the student's needs.

Education Minister Athina Michaelidou emphasized that the change will encompass the entire approach to children, focusing on their real needs, developmental opportunities, and the conditions in which they learn best.

Simply enrolling a student in a regular class is not enough. The project involves individual support programs, appropriate materials, and adapted teaching methods. The goal is to ensure both participation in classes and the ability to use them to their full potential.

Certificate also for students with special needs

One of the most important announcements is to guarantee the right to a school leaving certificate to all children attending general schools.

Formal confirmation of completed education is important for families. This document allows for a clear overview of a child's education, which is why the rules for issuing it are a key part of the reform.

For now, however, it should not be assumed that every certificate will have identical scope or grant the same entitlements to further study. Detailed assessment rules, the content of the documents, and their legal significance will depend on the final regulations.

Early recognition of a child's needs

The project envisages early identification of educational needs and regular assessments of whether the support provided is effective. Support is to be tailored to the student's situation, rather than remaining static throughout the years of study.

The ministry also announces more transparent procedures and specific deadlines for the operation of district special education committees. This is intended to improve needs assessment and decision-making regarding assistance.

The role of parents will also be strengthened. Detailed rules for their participation in proceedings, including the possibility of challenging decisions, will need to be assessed based on the full draft and its final version.

Teachers will need preparation

A more inclusive model of special education requires appropriate classroom conditions. The project includes the development of educational materials, the diversification of teaching methods, and teacher training.

The goal is for the classroom to accommodate students' varying abilities. A shared classroom must provide learning spaces for both children who need additional support and other students.

The reform was supported by the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education. Public consultations and legislative scrutiny were conducted before the document was submitted to the Council of Ministers.

What does the government's decision mean for parents?

Approval of the project does not automatically change the current support policies or the child's educational arrangements. Parents should continue to use existing procedures and contact the school regarding their student's needs.

The next step will be a parliamentary debate. Only after the regulations are adopted and a timetable is established will it be known when schools will begin implementing the new measures.

The full cost of the reform, as well as the number of additional teachers, assistants, and specialists, have not yet been announced. Therefore, it will be crucial for families to ensure that the announced laws are accompanied by accessible support: trained staff, appropriate materials, and efficient decisions regarding child support.

Sources: Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus, Reporter, Philenews