Teachers’ union calls for special needs action

TEACHERS’ representatives yesterday called for the cabinet to set up a special committee to ring-fence funds for special needs as well as immigrant pupils.

A “higher” commitment, beyond Education Minister Mary Hanafin, was needed to address concerns, said the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI).

Resources for special needs, international pupils, class sizes, as well as indiscipline in classes will top the agenda at an annual ASTI convention this month.