Ministry of Education advances transformative amendments to special education framework, emphasizing critical improvements such as parental consent for initial general class enrollment followed by timely Provincial Special Education Committee reassessment. Triennial evaluations replace biennial ones to minimize psychological strain on children, enabling meaningful progress data before grade transitions while respecting individual development paces. Strict February 28 referral deadlines ensure September implementation, with provisions for urgent cases throughout the school year.
Mandatory immediate notifications by parents, directors, medical professionals to committees, supported by physician or specialist certifications; reasoned decisions supplant reports for transparency. Accelerated training in differentiated instruction and assessment for all educators, alongside a dedicated resource bank developed through new Special Education Advisor roles. Universal diplomas for general school attendees; Enhanced Support Program facilitates personalized mainstream integration. Special schools evolve into support hubs, sharing therapist expertise with general institutions to bolster inclusive practices.
Minister Michailidou underscores these as integrated components of broader school enhancement, educator empowerment, and equitable opportunities, including revised collective agreements elevating school aides’ conditions and services.
Strategic overhaul of appointments system
Current legislation mandates appointables list termination by 2027, ushering exam-based appointeds exclusively. Urgent dialogues with unions address staffing volumes, examination integrity, reliability, score equivalencies from 2017, and distortions. Imminent consultations aim for legislative revisions guaranteeing adequate qualified hires, refined processes, and superior entrant standards, incorporating veteran educators’ invaluable experience.
Legal intricacies and vested rights complicate proceedings, yet the ministry targets broad consensus on a definitive proposal before academic year conclusion.
Source: Philenews
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