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The Government is expected to keep special schools and special classes open for thousands of children with special needs.
There are about 16,000 children in special classes in mainstream schools and in special schools, served by several thousand teachers and special needs assistants.
According to the sources, a new proposal is under consideration to provide support to another 8,000 children with additional needs in mainstream schools, but who are not in special classes.
The idea is that it would build on the summer provision scheme, in which eligible children were able to attend school settings for support last July.
Sources say several ministers lobbied for special education to continue during a cabinet subcommittee meeting on Covid-19 to discuss possible school closings through February.
It is understood that Education Minister Norma Foley has urged that special schools and special classes in mainstream schools remain open.
Additionally, the Minister of State for Children with Disabilities, Josepha Madigan, said that she has contacted the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste to make sure they remain open and that a “specific provision” is made for students with special needs in general classes.
The Children’s Ombudsman, for his part, has urged the Government to avoid a generalized closure of schools due to the negative effect it will have on vulnerable children.
Dr. Niall Muldoon said that closing all schools, as happened in March of last year, “is not a viable option due to the massive impact it will have on our children and their families.”
“Without a doubt, children with disabilities and children from disadvantaged backgrounds will again be disproportionately affected by the Covid -19 school closings, so any long-term measures to reduce transmission in society must consider the substantial negative impact on these groups, ”he said.
“Education is more than learning, it is about developing children’s personalities, talents, and abilities to reach their highest potential while facilitating mental health, play and recreation.
“I urge all these decision makers to see how they can generate a nuanced response and make it easier for our vulnerable children to attend school, as well as how to adequately support those involved in learning at home.”
Separately, three organizations representing people with disabilities said that eliminating support services in education and in the home would be “intolerable.”
Down Syndrome Ireland, AsIAm and Inclusion Ireland said the government must consider the impact more closures will have on some of the state’s most vulnerable children.
Barry Sheridan, executive director of Down Syndrome Ireland, said that support provided in educational settings such as schools or special classes, access to additional instructional time, and support from SNA are the only tangible resources they or their family receive from the state.
“It is absolutely vital that they are preserved, if possible,” he said.
Adam Harris, executive director of AsIAm, said children with autism need structure, routine, and an opportunity to learn and retain key skills.
He said research shows that the most vulnerable children experienced an increase in collapses or overloads at home during the last period of closure.
“A large percentage of our communities are unable to participate in online learning due to cognitive differences,” he added.
Enda Egan, Executive Director of Inclusion Ireland, said that the total closure of schools was not a sustainable scenario to repeat and is likely to cause untold suffering in our communities.
“There are numerous models, implemented in EU member states, including providing centers for students with the highest level of need, protecting special schools and classes, or providing alternative services.”
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