IPPN

Last Updated: Monday, 06 February 2012 16:40

Two-thirds of primary schools are dissatisfied with levels of supports for children with special needs, according to the Irish Primary Principals’ Network which is holding its annual three-day conference in Citywest Convention Centre in Dublin this week.

Of 803 primary school principals who responded the survey, 504 said special needs supports were inadequate.

When asked whether they were satisfied with supports for children with emotional and behavioural needs, 768 responded and, of those, 79% said they were not.

Only one in three schools said the National Educational Psychological Service in their school was adequate.

IPPN Director Seán Cottrell said primary school principals have reported dramatic increases in attention disorder, violent behaviour and family trauma.

‘This is occurring at a time when the Government is withdrawing resources for schools in disadvantaged areas which places in jeopardary the futures of vulnerable children.

‘The Government must start reversing cuts to DEIS, small schools and special needs and allow schools with four teachers or fewer to amalgamate learning support and resource teaching hours.

‘Inclusion of children with special needs has worked well since the late 1990s because a scaffolding of resources was put in place to support all pupils in the classroom.

‘Unfortunately, it is now like watching a game of Jenga where the blocks are being removed one by one.

‘Who will take responsibility when it all falls apart?,’ said Mr Cottrell.

IPPN President Gerry Murphy said restoring equitable levels of staffing and funding to all DEIS schools is essential.

‘Just as independent research shows that DEIS is proving to be a success, the resources that made it successful are being removed.

‘We must priortise the most vulnerable children in our primary education system and protect resources for special needs, disadvantaged schools and smaller schools,’ said Mr Murphy.

ENDS