Special needs assistants fall victim to spending cuts obsession
Mr Kennedy needs correcting in one respect, however. The teaching unions did not connive at O’Keeffe’s cynicism to preserve teachers’ monopoly of educational input in the classroom.
In fact, the TUI, in a submission on SNAs to the Department of Education and Science in November 2008, expressly endorsed educational support rather than a narrow “care” role for the SNA. In a submission in January 2009, INTO also envisaged an educational support role. Enlightened teachers have learned what SNAs can contribute to the classroom experience.
