The Ministry of Education, Religions and Sports It is making significant changes in the field of Special Education and Support, with the aim of effectively integrating students with disabilities and providing integrated psychosocial support in schools. The new bill provides for the creation of 1,900 new organic positions, of which 1,200 are for psychologists and social workers for schools and 700 teachers for interdisciplinary evaluation, counseling and support centers (KEDASY).
The minister Sofia Zacharaki underlined the importance of access to integration as a rightstressing that support should cover the entire daily program and all levels of education, from elementary to EPAL. “We support staff, we are reinforcing his mission, because he manages programs directly related to the younger generation,” he said.
Basic forecasts of the bill:
- Expanding parallel support and integration parts: The possibility of parallel support to the All -Day School is expanded, and for the first time institutionalities are instituted in Vocational High Schools. In total, 3,448 new integration sections are established this year in all regions of the country.
- Psychosocial support: 600 new posts of psychologists and 600 new posts of social workers for psychosocial support are created in 3,000 schools. In addition, more than 4,500 permanent appointments have been made since 2019.
- Reinforcement of KEDASY: 700 new organic teachers’ positions are set up in KEDASY, strengthening evaluation and support services.
- School nurses: Since September, the provision of school nurse services is strengthened, with the possibility of covering up to two nearby schools by a nurse, for the best care of students with special health needs.
- Funding of foreign language books: Providing seamless funding from the state budget for foreign language books.
- Standards and Experimental Schools: They are reinforced by extending the term of office of teachers and creating a mechanism for the diffusion of good practices.
- Greek -language overseas training: It is in practice, with an extension of the special insight for education coordinators.
- Upgrade I.NEDIVIM: Upgrading the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation with a new organizational chart and reinforcement of its accountability.
The above arrangements mark a significant step towards enhancing inclusive education and providing integrated support to all members of the school community.