Landmark ruling for students with learning disability

STUDENTS with learning disabilities have been discriminated against by being forced to leave school in the year they reach their 18th birthday, according to a landmark equality ruling.

The Equality Tribunal has ordered the Department of Education to review its discriminatory policy that compels students at special needs schools to finish their second-level education in the year they become 18.

Such a policy was “untenable” and such students were entitled to receive the same treatment as pupils of mainstream schools who did not face age limits when completing their Leaving Certificate, the tribunal said.