Paola Frantzi, a girl with quadriplegia who, during a conference held at the Presidential Palace, spoke about the inequalities and lack of opportunities she experienced as a student.
 “As a person
with a disability, I went through the educational system facing many difficulties, because the system mistakenly decided to place me in a special education school, without a proper evaluation by the regional committees.”
Although Paola has a degree in education and is a doctoral student, cannot apply for a teaching position with the education department due to the misguided guidance she received in school.
 
“You enter an educational system, and for that system to dictate that, yes, you’ve entered the education system, but you must be exempt from certain courses without your needs being properly assessed—that’s wrong. And then you hear the oft-repeated phrase, ‘Let her dream.’
 
Young Paola not only never stopped dreaming but also achieved many of her goals, sending a message of strength to every child with a disability.
 
“No one can take away your right to dream. You can achieve a great deal, and the system—and all of us as a society—have a duty to provide you with the necessary resources.”
 
After hearing Paola’s story and those of other children who participated in the workshop, the President of the Republic emphasized that, from the very moment it took office, the government has been addressing the issue of special“The opportunities offered by the state must be exactly the same for all children. Therefore, in July, we will present our comprehensive, holistic proposal covering education, training, employment, and post-school care.” ^{Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic}

Nikos Christodoulides emphasized that the points raised at the workshop will be taken into account in the ongoing consultation on the modernization of theSpecial Education legislation.

See the report by Eleni Michael