Statement by AKEL MP Christos Christofias member of the Parliamentary Education Committee

 

12 October 2022

I was present at the meeting between the Education, Sports and Youth Ministry and the Committee of Education of the House of Representatives convened by the Minister in the summer on the subject of school carers for children with disabilities.

At the meeting with the Minister of Education, he himself made extensive references to the fact that there are proportionally far more applications for carers in Nicosia than in other districts, repeating that “you understand why this is happening” or “we all know why it is happening” and “why are there not as many applications elsewhere”, sending the message clearly and unambiguously that many children and parents in Nicosia apply and insist because the capital Nicosia is spoilt.

If anyone is lying in relation to the issue that has arisen with our disabled children’s carers it is the Ministry of Education.

They are also lying not only about this particular incident, but also about the Unified Education Bill we have been waiting for years but never seen for which they have been announcing for years that it is ready to be tabled [in Parliament] but which has never been submitted.

Just as they unfortunately lied about the cap that exists and is set by the leadership of the Ministry of Education on the number of escorts/carers, regardless of actual needs and about the corrective measures for children with disabilities that we are still waiting for, announced every year but never presented.

We call once again on the Ministry to show empathy and correct the unacceptable situation that has arisen with escorts for children with disabilities. Even at this stage.