IPPN

IRISH students have far less access to computers and high-speed internet than those in most other developed countries because of poor Government funding, a confidential report has revealed.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) compared the availability of computers to primary and post-primary students in Ireland and a number of other countries in its overview of information and communications technology (ICT) use in schools.

The unpublished draft report concludes that low investment in ICT compared with other developed countries has made planning, both nationally and in schools, much harder.

There are 12 pupils for every computer in Irish primary schools, and nine students at second level. This compares to 7.5 and 4.9 respectively, in English schools and six students per computer in all schools in America.

Government spending of €160 million on ICT in schools between 1998 and last year compares to €2.4 billion in England during the same period. In the last four years alone, Northern Ireland schools have benefited from public investment in ICT of €377 million.

"Ireland's investment in ICT in schools is generally low compared with other developed countries and the deployment of funding has been somewhat fragmented, which makes planning both at a national and school level difficult," the NCCA report says.

While more than 90% of Irish schools have some internet connection, only two-thirds of computers in second level schools and 40% of those in primary schools have access.

Less than 1% of primary schools and just 5% of post-primary schools have a broadband connection.

While Ireland has significant progress to make in terms of broadband connectivity, the NCCA says the €18m joint initiative between Government and telecommunications industry to expand schools' broadband access is a welcome step.

Ireland is revealed as one of few countries not offering ICT as a second-level subject unlike, for example, Australia, Canada, Sweden, the Netherlands, England, Scotland, the US, Poland and Portugal, some of which also offer it as a subject to primary pupils.

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THE parents of a boy with a severe and complex syndrome pleaded with the Education Minister last night to keep his full-time classroom assistant.

John and Rachel Kelleher said the decision to halve the hours of nine-year-old Shane's special needs assistant (SNA) would have a devastating effect on his education and health.

"We have been fighting to get Shane speech therapy. We have been on a waiting list for almost two years. And now we are losing what we have," Shane's father John said.

"We hope short-term savings to the Finance Department won't marginalise our son and in the long term cost the State more in the special education system."

Shane, who is in third class at Scoil Chill Ruadhain in Brooklodge, Glanmire, has CHARGE syndrome.

The rare condition affects his heart, eyes, throat, stunts his growth and development, results in urinary abnormalities and can result in behavioural problems.

But thanks to his full-time SNA, Shane has made great strides in mainstream education, Mr Kelleher said. Shane's needs were assessed recently as part of a review of 1,000 schools by the Department of Education. This resulted in 70 SNA posts being lost to schools, but the creation of 175 posts in other schools. However, it was decided that Shane didn't need a full-time SNA. The hours of two other SNAs at Shane's school are also being cut.

"Without his assistant, Shane will be a disruption to the rest of the class and we know he will fall behind," Mr Kelleher said.

His son is fed a range of high-calorie supplements at night through a tube in his stomach.

"It is essential to his health that his intake is maintained constantly during the day. His SNA monitored this," Mr Kelleher said. "Shane is on medication to regulate his kidneys so fluid doesn't build up putting his heart under strain. Up to now, Shane's SNA supervised this.

"Without his full-time SNA, who will who will manage Shane's extra care and behavioural needs?"

The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) said it doesn't comment on individual cases. But a spokesman said the school could appeal the decision.

"The INTO is aware of a number of schools where reductions have been made in SNA allocations," he said. "In the first instance, schools should contact their local SNA organiser and appeal the decision. In the event of an unsuccessful appeal, they should direct it to National Special Education Council."

Meanwhile, parents in Donegal protested on Tuesday because children with special needs are being taught in a toilet due to a chronic lack of facilities.

Scoil Eoin Baiste, a five-teacher rural school, has been forced to convert a number of toilets into rooms to cater for children with special needs. One group is still being taught in a room that continues to be used as a toilet for children with physical disabilities.

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THE Government was accused of gross hypocrisy last night for slashing the hours of a school's special needs assistants (SNA) just days after passing the controversial Disability Bill.

"We're the second richest country in Europe. I just don't understand how you can do something like that," Labour TD Kathleen Lynch said.
"The trauma inflicted on children and families is of no consequence.

"The Government have just finished the Disability Bill. But the definitions are so narrow that it doesn't include everyone.

"There are no rights, there is no framework on how it will be rolled out and I haven't been able to get answers to questions on whether funding will be ring-fenced.

"All Minister Frank Fahey will say is 'trust me'. This Disability Bill is of no benefit to Shane."

Ms Lynch said she is aware of a number of other schools awaiting inspection and who are worried their SNA hours will also be cut.

She said she will raise the issue in the Dáil next week and use Shane Kelleher's case as an example.

Fianna Fáil TD Billy Kelleher, the deputy Government chief whip, described the decision to cut Shane's SNA hours as "very regrettable".

"We must try and reverse the decision," he said.

"We need to make an argument that stands up, put forward a coherent argument and highlight why a SNA is essential for Shane." Mr Kelleher said Shane could struggle in mainstream education without his SNA.

"Anything we can do to progress the case will be done over the coming weeks," he said.

Meanwhile, the Government has been accused, by Fine Gael, of causing chaos in primary schools because of the last-minute introduction of new special needs staffing arrangements for September.
The party's education spokesperson Olwyn Enright also accused the department of giving principals little assistance to understand the regulations, which will mean more teachers than normal are being redeployed between schools this summer.

Education Minister Mary Hanafin announced the system just over three weeks ago, providing 660 extra resource teachers for children with learning disabilities.

But schools only had until the beginning of this week to respond with details.

A Department of Education spokesperson said the scheme is a major improvement on the previous system, which required a psychological assessment for every child before they were given resource teaching hours. Resource teachers will now be in place from the start of the school year, so any child who needs their assistance can get it straight away.

Click here to access the article on the Irish Examiner website