Data presented by the Ministry of Education reflect a reality of growing needs within schools, as alongside the students, school assistants also increase, as do related state expenditures.
In primary education, the largest increase is recorded. In the 2016‑2017 school year, students in special education stood at 1,418, while in the 2025‑2026 school year they reached 2,719. This represents an almost doubling within a decade. Compared to the previous school year, when students were 2,623, a further increase is recorded.
The trend in primary education shows a gradual rise over almost the entire reference period. From 1,450 students in 2017‑2018, the number increased to 1,510 in 2018‑2019, to 1,606 in 2019‑2020 and to 1,806 in 2020‑2021. In 2021‑2022 there were 1,808 students, followed by a continued increase with 1,872 students in 2022‑2023, 2,254 in 2023‑2024, 2,623 in 2024‑2025 and 2,719 in 2025‑2026.
An upward trend is also observed in secondary education, although the numbers are lower compared to primary education. Students in special settings in secondary education were 455 in 2016‑2017, while in 2025‑2026 they rose to 772. In the intervening years there were fluctuations, but the overall trend remains upward. Specifically, student numbers were 531 in 2017‑2018, 518 in 2018‑2019, 541 in 2019‑2020, 536 in 2020‑2021, 586 in 2021‑2022, 658 in 2022‑2023, 686 in 2023‑2024 and 716 in 2024‑2025.
The increase in students is accompanied by increased support needs. This is reflected in the number of school assistants, which has grown significantly over the past decade. In primary education, school assistants rose from 536 in 2016‑2017 to 1,407 in the 2025‑2026 school year. In secondary education, their number increased from 224 to 420 during the same period.
A corresponding increase is also recorded in expenditure on special education. Based on Ministry of Education data, related spending rose from €12.277 million in 2021 to €21.582 million in 2026. In between, spending stood at €14.638 million in 2022, €15.322 million in 2023, €16.162 million in 2024 and €18.885 million in 2025.
Changes
The data come at a time when the Ministry of Education is promoting the modernisation of special education and the transition towards inclusive education. The reforms presented are structured around ten key pillars and concern, among others, the way children are assessed and supported, the operation of relevant mechanisms, cooperation between school and family, and the strengthening of support structures within the school environment.
Particular emphasis is placed on the role of parents, who will have a meaningful say in choosing the educational framework for their child during their initial entry into the education system. The reform framework also includes strengthening attendance in mainstream education where feasible, training for teachers and school assistants, the use of technology, improved coordination between services, and ensuring the quality of the support provided.
