The response by Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe to the appeals by primary schools against the closure of special classes has been “minimalist and totally inadequate”, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) said today.
General secretary of the INTO John Carr said the response leaves hundreds of special needs children in dozens of primary schools without the "vital service".
Earlier this year the Minister announced the closure of 128 special classes in 119 schools for children with mild general learning difficulties. More than forty schools appealed the decision to the Minister and today it was announced that only ten of the classes will be retained.
At the time Mr O’Keeffe denied the closures would leave schools without the additional teaching supports required to meet the educational needs of those children. He said the pupils would be provided with additional teaching supports through the general allocation model.
“Every day, and in every school, pupils with mild general learning disability are being successfully education in integrated settings," Mr O'Keeffe added.
However, the INTO today rejected the Minister's claim as false. "Most of these children will now be enrolled in ordinary classes again where they were already unable to cope before they were placed in special classes," said Mr Carr.
"This is a shameful decision where children are being treated not as individuals with real needs but as little more than statistics.”
A spokesman for Mr O’Keeffe said the vast majority of parents want to have their children included in the mainstream class. And he said the “policy of inclusion has widespread support among respected educationalists”.
Kathleen Lynch of the Labour Party said the Government’s decision to spare 10 classes is “cynical tokenism at its worst”.
“This decision means that not only will these children themselves suffer, but so too will their classmates, as a further burden will be placed on the mainstream teachers who are already under huge pressure,” Ms Lynch added.
Of the 119 schools affected, 80 have reduced class sizes either under DEIS or other previous disadvantaged schemes. Of those 80, 17 will be due an extra post when the pupils in question are divided among mainstream classes.
The 10 classes to be retained are in the following schools: Scoil Chaitlín Maude in Tallaght, Scoil Chaitriona on Baggot St, Scoil Bhride in Shantalla, Talbot SNS in Bawnogue, St Brigid's JNS Brookfield, St Mary's on the Hill in Knocknaheeny, Mater Dei Primary School in Basin Lane, St Teresa's Primary School in Balbriggan, De La Salle Schools in Ballyfermot and St Catherine's West on Donore Avenue.
The following schools, who appealed the decision, will have special classes closed:
St Anne's NS, Bailieborough, Co Cavan - 1 class to be closed,
St Joseph's NS, Macroom Road, Coolock, D17 - 1 class to be closed,
St Michael's GNS, Arklow, co Wicklow - 1 class to be closed,
St Fergal's SNS, Boghall Road, Bray, Co Wicklow - 1 class to be closed,
Mary Queen of Angels NS, Ballyfermot, D10 - 1 class to be closed,
Sacred Heart School, Sruleen, Clondalkin, D22 - 1 class to be closed,
Convent of Mercy JNS, Castleblaney, Monaghan - 1 class to be closed,
St Michael's NS, Domincan Campus, Ballyfermot, D10 - 1 class to be closed,
Mercy Primary School, Birr, Co Offaly - 1 class to be closed,
Virgin Mary Girls & Boys' NS, Ballymun, D9 2 classes to be closed,
St Oliver's NS, Ballycasheen, Killarney, Co Kerry - 1 class to be closed,
Sc Chaitriona JNS & SNS, Renmore, Co Galway - 2 classes to be closed,
Mallow Convent NS, Mallow, Co Cork - 2 MGLD classes to be closed. One class since re-designated as an autism class,
Convent of Mercy NS, Kilrush, Co Clare - 1 class to be closed,
Mary Queen of Angels NS, Ballyfermot, D 10 - 1 class to be closed,
St Catherine's SNS, Ratoath Road, Cabra, Dublin 7 - 1 class to be closed,
St Mary's NS, Bancroft Avenue, Greenhills Road, Tallaght - 1 class to be closed,
St Cronan's SNS, Brackenstown, Swords - 1 class to be closed,
St Brendan's BNS, Birr, Co Offaly - 1 class to be closed,
St Mary's BNS, St Mary's Hill, Monaghan - 1 class to be closed,
Sacred Heart SNS, Killinarden, Tallaght, D24 - 2 classes to be closed,
St Aidan's NS, Brookfield, D24 - 1 class to be closed,
St Brendan's BNS McAuley Road Artane, D5 - 1 class to be closed,
St Peter Apostle SNS Neilstown Clondalkin, D 22 - 1 class to be closed,
St Kevins BNS Barry Avenue Finglas West , D11 - 1 class to be closed,
St Francis' JNS Priorswood, D17 - 1 class to be closed,
St Joseph's Arklow - 1 class to be closed,
St Peter Apostle JNS - 1 class to be closed,
St Mary's JNS, Rowlagh, Clondalkin - 1 class to be closed,
St Joseph's SNS, Balcurris, Ballymun - 1 class to be closed,
St Eithne's NS, Edenmore, Dublin 5 - 1 class to be closed,
St Helen's SNS, Portmarnock, Co Dublin - 1 class to be closed,
Dominican convent Wicklow/Rathdrum Wicklow - 2 classes to be closed.
