Special Olympics Cyprus and the Education Ministry have formalized their partnership through a memorandum of understanding to expand the Unified Schools initiative. This program promotes athletics and leadership opportunities between students with and without intellectual disabilities. Implemented as a pilot during the 2025-2026 school year, the program involved 14 elementary and secondary schools and facilitated 130 activities over five months.

Education Minister Athena Michaelides emphasized that the Unified Schools philosophy aligns with the ministry's goal of creating a "modern, democratic and people-centered school." She highlighted that true inclusion is cultivated daily through interaction in classrooms, sports fields, and playgrounds where every student feels they belong. The ministry aims to enhance participation, collaboration, and personal development for all children through this collaboration.

Special Olympics described the partnership as a step toward a society free from discrimination, using sports and education as tools to promote inclusion, equality, and human dignity. The government’s education bill, currently under public consultation, also seeks to strengthen special education services to better support individual student needs.