Education Minister Athena Michaelidou promised a more inclusive school, saying that a bill would be prepared this year to improve the special education offered by the state.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Michaelidou said this was “a very difficult and sensitive issue” and discussions had not yet concluded.

“For two years we have been working systematically, with a specific plan, so that we can deliver a bill within 2025 that improves the current situation,” she said.

She admitted that “children with disabilities in public schools and their parents have been suffering for decades” because there has been no modernisation of the legislation.

“Therefore, after a series of meetings and now a second round of consultations, the ministry is discussing specific ideas and suggestions with all the bodies, with all those involved, in order to reach specific decisions,” she said.

Michaelidou said those involved had conflicting views, however “there is international bibliography on the issue and there are also proposals from the European Commission that we are studying.”

In the meantime, the ministry had increased the number of trained escorts and had expanded the operating hours of special, summer and all-day schools.

Michaelidou also referred to the president’s announcement that special education would be extended to 22 years of age, from 21.

The minister expressed regret that there had been “misinformation” regarding graduation certificates.

“We know that today, not all children, children who attend special units within schools, receive a certificate. So, instead of appreciating this step forward, we see it being exploited, misinformation, creating unnecessary tension, because we have not yet reached a conclusion on what will be written on this high school diploma,” she said.

Michaelidou said “children with disabilities in both secondary and primary education should receive a high school diploma.”