Principals demand resources for special needs

SECOND-LEVEL principals have welcomed plans to test all primary pupils as a way of identifying children with special needs but they want more resources to help those students.

National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) president Derek West said the proposals announced by former Education Minister Noel Dempsey in July could have a positive impact.

The plans, involving standardised assessment of all children’s literacy and numeracy skills in third and sixth class, have been criticised by primary teachers who believe they are already in a position to identify children in need of extra help.