O'Keeffe's 'betrayal' as 128 special-needs classes are axed
Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe was last night accused of betraying defenceless children after the axing of 128 classes catering for 534 pupils with mild general-learning disabilities.
Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay said the children affected were among the most vulnerable in the system.
The 534 pupils will now have to go into mainstream classes, many of which have increased in size. "It is both unbelievable and unacceptable that, no matter what our economic difficulties might be, we are not making a special effort to protect children who need additional support" he said.
The Department of Education said that in the case of classes for mild general-learning disability, a minimum of nine pupils was required to retain a teaching post. "In the case of 128 classes (in 119 schools), the number of pupils dropped below this minimum," said a spokesperson.
But the Irish National Teachers Organisation said the decision was indefensible.
"The minister should be called upon to answer for this decision in the Dail," said general secretary John Carr.
Inclusion Ireland, which is the National Association for People with an Intellectual Disability, said it was shocked and outraged by the decision.
And the National Parents Council (primary) said it was concerned that if the decision had been made for cost-cutting reasons, the individual needs of children could be severely affected.
- John Walshe Education Editor
