The Cyprus Confederation of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (KYSOA) has voiced strong concern over Thursday's planned 24-hour strike by School Board staff and hourly paid government employees, warning that children with disabilities will effectively be prevented from attending school.
In a statement, the organisation said pupils who depend on school assistants as part of their reasonable accommodation measures, including children attending special schools, will be unable to access education on the day of the strike.
Concerns over exclusion
KYSOA argued that while other students will remain in classrooms, many children with disabilities will be required to stay at home because of the absence of support staff.
The organisation described the situation as a form of exclusion and questioned the current employment framework governing school assistants.
"If this is not segregation, then what is?" the organisation said.
Call for employment reform
KYSOA renewed its call for changes to the employment status of school assistants, arguing they should not be employed through School Boards or under hourly paid arrangements.
The confederation also criticised the current system under which school assistants spend part of the year unemployed, saying it undermines continuity of support for vulnerable students.
Right to education
While expressing respect for workers' right to strike, KYSOA said equal access to education must also be protected.
The organisation argued that the impact on children with disabilities had not been adequately considered and stressed that all students should be able to attend school without discrimination.
"The right of children to access education equally and without discrimination has clearly not been taken into account," the statement said.
Source: CNA
