Education scandal - Special needs system in favour of rich

THE plight of children with special needs is now so critical that 1,000 extra primary teachers are needed to make up for the lack of teaching staff in this crucial area.

With 6,000 children on waiting lists in the country’s primary schools, it is hardly surprising that Education Minister Noel Dempsey expected to become the target of criticism at the forthcoming INTO conference.

The needs of thousands of other children have not even been assessed because of the chronic lack of specialist services.