Criticism of new special needs plan questioned

The National Council for Special Education says a new system of giving schools extra teachers for special needs pupils will help remove delays in supports.

The council questioned complaints by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation that it will create more work for schools and hinder, rather than speed up, the extra help needed by children with learning difficulties.

In advice to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn on supports for children with special educational needs (SEN), the NCSE fell short of calling for full implementation of laws that would automatically entitle students to resources they are assessed as needing.