Student teachers will have to complete assessed placements in special schools, plans show

Helen McEntee is to write to the Teaching Council on Monday about the need to ensure all teachers are highly trained to deliver high quality teaching to all children. File picture: iStock

All student teachers are to undergo mandatory assessed placements in special educational needs schools, under new plans put forward by the minister for education.

Helen McEntee is to write to the Teaching Council on Monday about the need to ensure all teachers are highly trained to deliver high quality teaching to all children.

The minister will ask the council to initiate the move towards the introduction of the mandatory placements, to be supported with the relevant modules.

She expects that the council, on behalf of the Department of Education, will conduct a survey across all colleges providing teacher education to get a picture of current school placement provision in special education settings.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said this will support the development and approval of a guidance note for higher education institutions, to be issued later this year, around the assessed student placement in an special education needs setting.

The initial change is expected to be introduced from September 2026.

Commitment to schools

The spokeswoman added that Ms McEntee is committed to opening additional special classes and special schools, expanding the number of special needs assistants and special education teachers, and expanding the resources available to special schools.

She has also committed to introducing a common application system for children applying for special education places, the spokeswoman added.

"Minister McEntee is working with minister of state Michael Moynihan to ensure there are enough places to meet their children's needs this September, and ensuring that the NSCE [National Council for Special Education] is planning this year for the special places needed for the 2026/27 school year.

"Furthermore, the ministers will not hesitate to use the legislative provisions, introduced in 2022, which allow them to compel schools to open special classes if required."