In a surprising incident that raises worries about protecting children with disabilities, Limassol Police questioned a mother for not sending her child to school.
This situation makes us wonder if laws meant to protect children with disabilities are actually enforced or just for show. The mother claims that instead of punishing those causing issues at school, the focus was on her. “Instead of protecting children with disabilities, it seems they are targeting the victim,” she says strongly.
This incident comes just days after the Minister of Education, Sports, and Youth, Ms. Athina Michailidou, admitted that the private education law has gaps and problems with implementation. The mother highlights that according to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, protecting children should come before any legal issues.
The President of the Board of Directors of the Non-Profit Organization “Hug of Hope,” and parliamentary candidate, Gioula Pitsiali, explains that the mother asked for an aide for her child in a private school. However, the school is expelling the child while the state insists they must attend a public school. “The internal rules of private schools should not override the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus,” she states. The Ministry of Education must ensure private schools respect human rights for children with disabilities. Every disabled child has the right to choose their school, and refusing reasonable accommodations is discrimination., Ms. Pitsiali emphasizes.
