Minister instructs school patrons to review enrolment policies for special classes

The Department of Education’s Inspectorate review of policies indicated that many schools use the possibility of a child displaying behaviours that may pose a risk to the health and safety of others as a basis for exclusion from a special class. File picture

School patrons have been directed to review their enrolment policies for special classes following a review that highlighted “concerning” clauses and criteria that could limit autistic students' access to education.

Minister for education Helen McEntee has instructed the school patrons, who are responsible for enrolment policies, to initiate the review after the Department of Education’s Inspectorate published its findings.