School boards are being asked to recruit individuals to support children with disabilities without necessarily possessing the specialist expertise required to assess their suitability. The admission, made by Nicos Megalemou, president of the Cyprus School Boards Association, highlighted what was described as one of the most significant weaknesses in the school aide system during a House education committee meeting on Wednesday.
Megalemou argued that responsibility for recruiting school aides should be removed from school boards, which are currently expected to select personnel for children with specialised needs. He also referred to interventions in favour of specific candidates, while noting that boards endeavour to follow the prescribed recruitment procedures. Issues relating to working conditions and remuneration were also raised.
Calls for qualifications and mandatory training
The need for clearly defined qualifications and compulsory training dominated the discussion.
The president of the Cyprus Confederation of Organisations of the Disabled (KYSOA), Themis Anthopoulou, called for a comprehensive restructuring of the system, arguing that the current recruitment process does not guarantee that school aides possess the knowledge required to meet the individual needs of each child.
Anthopoulou said training remains optional, while aides can be informed only at the last minute about which child they will be assigned to support.
The impact of these shortcomings was reflected in complaints presented to the committee. Examples included children with quadriplegia being required to share an aide, as well as pupils with severe communication difficulties being supported by staff lacking the necessary specialised expertise.
Cases were also cited in which aides remained outside classrooms despite their presence being essential for a child's participation in lessons.
Parents raise concerns
A representative from the Office of the Commissioner for Children's Rights referred to complaints from parents regarding recruitment procedures, the adequacy of school aides and uncertainty surrounding their responsibilities.
The need for support for pupils with disabilities attending private schools, without transferring the cost to families, was also highlighted.
The committee additionally discussed the issue of replacing aides when they are absent. Committee chairman Chrysanthos Savvides referred to a specific complaint brought to his attention, which demonstrated the effect inadequate support can have on a pupil's ability to attend classes.
Speaking on behalf of the education ministry, deputy director of secondary education George Koutsides pointed to an increase in available positions, salary improvements and training programmes covering safety, first aid and support for children.
He also acknowledged that timely staffing and the replacement of aides when vacancies arise remain key challenges.
