Cyprus lawmakers call for reform of school assistant system

The Parliamentary Committee on Education in Cyprus has called for a radical overhaul of the school assistant system for children with disabilities. Discussions highlighted critical issues including low wages, staff shortages, and the lack of personalized support for students.

Committee President Chrysanthos Savvidis noted that while the number of assistants increased from 1,875 last school year to 2,165 this year, significant needs remain. Salaries are reported to be approximately €900, which lawmakers argue makes it difficult to recruit qualified personnel and lacks professional incentives.

Themis Anthopoulou, President of KYSOA, proposed a holistic restructuring, including transferring recruitment authority from School Boards to the Ministry of Education. She emphasized the need for a clear legislative framework and suggested that decisions regarding student needs be finalized by May to allow sufficient time for hiring and preparation before the school year begins.

Additional concerns were raised regarding the lack of mandatory training and the absence of support for children with severe disabilities who require one-on-one assistance. It was also noted that children attending private schools do not currently have the right to a school assistant.