Anger at cut to time for resource teaching

Teaching unions and parents’ groups have hit out at a 5% cut in resource teaching hours.

Under the plan for the next school year, announced by the Department of Education yesterday, children using the services provided by resource teachers will see the weekly allocation cut.

The time allocated is based on an assessment of need, meaning a child with severe emotional or behavioural difficulties would have received five hours additional teaching two years ago, four-and-a-half hours last year, and four hours 15 minutes next year.