Ombudsperson report criticizes private school for denying support to disabled student

The Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights has issued a report regarding a private elementary school in Limassol that refused to provide reasonable accommodations for a student with disabilities. The complaint was filed by the student's mother in November 2025 following the child's withdrawal from the institution. The school reportedly refused to assign a school assistant or companion to the child, citing internal operating regulations that conflicted with decisions made by the District Committee for Special Education and Training. The Commissioner noted that the school not only failed to support the student but explicitly refused to adhere to regulations approved by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth. The institution justified the termination of the child's enrollment by claiming the student failed to meet classroom requirements and could not functionally integrate into the school environment. The Commissioner's report emphasizes that private schools must provide specialized education and support services as required by law. This case highlights a recurring issue regarding the lack of assistants for children with disabilities in the private education sector.