Special Education Provision - By Carol Gilbert, April 2005
(Previously published in the Southern Star)

Changes in the provision for children with a range of learning disabilities will be top of the agenda at a meeting to be held in the Parkway Hotel, Dunmanway, next Thursday at 8 p.m.

Organisers of the meeting claim in just one example, cuts in resources have resulted in a situation where the special education needs of eight children in one class have to be met by one resource teacher. Whilst Minister Mary Hannaifin has assured parents whose children presently enjoy specific support services that these would not change, reassessment has resulted in a reduction in service provision which in some instances has meant the withdrawal of all learning support.

Some schools do not yet have a resource teacher appointed and there is therefore no programme set out to meet the special education requirements of children with learning disabilities.

The West Cork Parents Action Group was formed to become a voice for parents of children with a range of special needs following the view that the impact of the “weighted system” style of allocation of resources in schools would change educational provision.

Speakers next Thursday include, Niamh Ni hAogain, an educational psychologist, Seamus Greene, Director and Founder of the National Parents and Siblings Alliance, Dr Michael Shevlin and Pat Curtin, both members of the National Council for Special Education.

The meeting is open to all interested parties, parents, carers, teachers, and members of the general public. For further information please contact 028 31411 or 087 963693.