The inclusion of children with special needs is a matter of major policy for the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus that is in line with current international conventions and philosophical thought. The adoption of this policy has been accompanied by a change in perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes of society towards children with special needs, whether they are in the educational system or the community.

 

The policy is expressed within the Special Education Law 113(1) of 1999, the Regulations for the Early Detection of Children with Special Needs 185(1)/2001, and the Regulations for the Training and Education of Children with Special Needs 186(1)/2001. These last two regulate the implementation of the new law as from September 2001.