Family seeks justice from Pope after school denies support for student with special needs

A family from Limassol, Cyprus, recently traveled to the Vatican to deliver a personal letter to Pope Francis regarding their child’s treatment at a private Catholic school. The child, who has been diagnosed with ADHD and language dyspraxia, was denied the provision of a professional school aide, despite the family's willingness to cover all associated costs. According to the mother, Maria Koliou, the family had a long-standing relationship with the institution, having previously enrolled their older child there, but experienced a significant shift in school policy following a change in administration.

This incident has escalated beyond the Vatican, reaching the Cypriot Commissioner for the Protection of Children's Rights and the Commissioner for Administration, as well as the Ministry of Education. The family is currently seeking justice for what they perceive as a lack of love, inclusion, and support, which they argue contradicts the values taught by the school. The case highlights ongoing tensions regarding disability support services in private educational settings in Cyprus, with authorities now involved in investigating the refusal of the school to accommodate the student’s specific educational needs.