[ad_1]
Twenty-five primary schools in the South Dublin area have been ordered to open classes for children with special needs due to the severe shortage of school places in the area.
The measure aims to secure places for dozens of school-age children with diseases such as autism and other learning difficulties and who have not been able to secure school places.
As a result, many are making use of home tuition or are forced to travel long distances through the city in rush hour traffic to access school sites outside of their community.
Schools during the summer were asked to hold special classes at their facilities.
However, many of the schools argued that they did not have trained teachers or did not have space for more students.
Following inspections by the Department of Education, schools were informed this week that their current accommodation is adequate and can be adapted for the immediate establishment of special classes.
Schools have been directed to begin providing special classes without delay and that classes must begin operating during the current 2020/2021 school year.
In a statement, the Minister of State for Special Education, Josepha Madigan, said that all children have the right to education and that this is a fundamental value for all those who work in the education sector.
“The last few months have been very difficult for staff and students, and we want to work with our schools to make sure that the spaces needed for special classes are available to those who need them,” he said.
“Our schools are welcoming and inclusive environments and the NCSE will continue to liaise with schools to identify additional capacity for special classes where it exists.”
Many parents say that their children with special needs have been told that they are oversubscribed or that they are not equipped to enroll children with additional needs.
The campaign group Involve Autism has said that parents who are unable to access appropriate school places for their children have been under “phenomenal stress.”
In some cases, parents have applied to more than 30 schools in Dublin without finding a place for their child.
The department states that a support package is available to assist schools in making additional seats available.
Supports cover the provision of additional teachers, special needs aides, training, counseling, and funding.
One teacher and two special needs aide positions are authorized for each special class.
The schools also have thousands of euros in grants for the establishment of special classes, classroom furniture and ICT equipment. The schools that are ordered to open classes are as follows:
Dublin 2:
Catherine Brothers School, Lower Baggot Street;
City Quay National School, Gloucester Street South;
Dublin 6 / 6W
Bishop Shanahan NS, Templeogue;
Gaelscoil Mologa, Harold’s Cross;
Gaelscoil Lios na nÓg, Ranelagh;
Dublin 8:
Gaelscoil Inse Chór;
Saint Mary CBS;
Dublin 12:
St. Mary’s School, Crumlin Road;
Scoil Mhuire Óg II;
St. Damien’s NS, Perrystown; St. Una School, Crumlin;
Dublin 14:
National School of Our Lady, Milltown;
Dublin 16:
St. Nathan’s School, Ballinteer;
St. Mary’s School, Ballyboden;
Queen of Angels Elementary School, Sandyford;
Dublin 18:
St. Mary’s School, Rathsallagh;
National School of the Holy Trinity;
Dublin 20:
St. Brigid School, Palmerstown;
Dublin 22:
St. Joseph’s School, Clondalkin;
National Minor School of Santa María, Clondalkin;
National Superior School of Santa María, Clondalkin;
Dublin 24:
St Mary’s School, Greenhills Road, Tallaght;
School of Jesus, Tallaght;
St Anne Elementary School, Tallaght;
St Dominic National School, Tallaght;
Co Dublin:
St Raphaela’s, Stillorgan;
St. Patrick’s National School, Kiltiernan;
Our Lady of Mercy Convent School, Booterstown;
Lorcan School, Seapoint, Blackrock;
Santa Teresa National School, Mount Merrion;
Colmcille High School, Ballybrack
Star of the sea, Sandymount;
San Mateo National School, Cranfield Place, Sandymount;
San José, Dún Laoghaire;
Gaelscoil Phadraig, Ballybrack.
[ad_2]