Every child deserves not just a school place – but an appropriate place that will help them to reach their full potential
The Education Minister must urgently clarify if she is plans to redesignate special schools which cater to children who have mild general learning disabilities, according to Social Democrats Education Spokesperson Jen Cummins.
“Due to years of underinvestment and poor planning, there is a shortage of school places for children with additional needs.
“In their rush to try to find a solution to this crisis, there are now fears that the Minister will damage one aspect of the system that is actually working – schools which specifically cater to children with mild general learning difficulties (MGLD).
“There are 30 such schools catering for more than 3,000 children in 19 counties. Children who attend these schools have often had bad experiences of mainstream classes, but have thrived in a learning environment that is specifically designed to cater to their needs.
“Now, with a stroke of a pen, the Department is seeking to change the designation of these schools from MGLD to complex needs.
“Instead of creating new school places, this simply redesignates existing capacity – and risks pushing children with MGLD back into mainstream classes which have already failed them.
“Incredibly, there has been zero consultation with existing schools about this proposed redesignation.
“The Minister and the Department appear to be determined to act unilaterally to irrevocably change the designation and damage schools which have been lifelines for children and parents.
“Every child deserves not just a school place – but an appropriate place. One that will help them to reach their full potential.
“Ripping up a system that has been built around the needs of children, and seeking to make it catch-all overnight, will just mean that more children are failed.
“The Minister must urgently clarify her plans to redesignate these schools and explain why she has failed to engage with these schools to date.”