President of Cyprus meets with students with disabilities to discuss education

President Nikos Christodoulides and the Minister of Education held a meeting at the Presidential Palace with students with disabilities to address challenges in the educational system. During the event, Paola Franzi, head of inclusive education at the Cyprus Confederation of Organizations of the Disabled (KYSIA), spoke about the necessity for accessible learning materials and personal support for students. Participants highlighted structural failures, such as inadequate assessment of needs and the discouragement of students from certain subjects. In response to these concerns, President Christodoulides announced the establishment of a centralized Special Education and Inclusion Unit within the Ministry of Education. This new unit aims to consolidate existing, currently fragmented services into a single point of reference for parents and students. The discussion also underscored the importance of smaller class sizes and the removal of systemic social inequalities that hinder educational progress. The initiative seeks to transition toward a more integrated approach to special education within the Republic of Cyprus.