IPPN

Last Updated: Monday, 16 March 2009 16:42

The Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) is saddened and appalled at the news that over 100 schools have been told to shut down their special classes for children with learning disabilities. 'How can it be that our most vulnerable children are the first to be targeted by these cuts', said Larry Fleming, President of IPPN. 'These are children who were given places in small classes because they were failing in large mainstream classes. Now, they are condemned to experience failure yet again, and the large mainstream classes are being asked to absorb this additional challenge' added Fleming.

'This is another example of where the DES is making decisions about children without consulting those on the ground who manage schools day-to-day and who know best how to provide services', said Mr. Fleming. 'At this time of crisis, we need to invest in our childrens' education, not dismantle it for short term, and relatively small, financial savings'.

IPPN has called for major reforms in the way schools are managed and has presented a 10 point plan to the Department of Education and Science which, it claims, could make the savings required in education without cutting services to children.

'It is absolutely bizarre that principals, who manage over 3,000 schools in all corners of the country, are not being properly consulted on ways to make savings in education which do not affect frontline services to children', said Mr. Fleming.

Ends

Notes for Editor:
The General Allocation Model which is the mechanism under which these children will have to now be catered for, has never been reviewed except for a small number of schools who were designated as "developing schools" in 2005.

Many of the children affected were referred to these special classes from other schools because they were experiencing failure in a mainstream class.