Cllr. Ormond calls for reversal of Special Needs Cuts.

Peter Ormond has expressed his disappointment at the announcement last week that another 12.5% cut to resource teaching hours will commence. This cut will serve to further disenfranchise our children with special needs. In total there is a 25% reduction in resource hours since 2011. This is another targeted cut by our government who should be investing heavily in our education system. This is a deliberate cut to the children in need, their families and those who are unable to defend themselves. The effects of these cuts will be felt not only by children with special needs and their families but amongst other pupils and right across school communities.

Cllr. Ormond has urged the Minister to immediately reverse this cut. Parents and children are finishing the school year this week and this cut is leaving them with further uncertainty. A child that was allocated 5 hours per week will now only receive 3.75 hours next year. The savings here are minimal and whilst acknowledging that savings have to be made in our economy, they should be made in other areas.
Schools are already working under tough conditions with pupil teacher ratios already causing difficulties. The separation of Learning Support and Resource as two distinct teaching jobs is also challenging for schools.  A direct consequence of this is that schools that do not have adequate hours for a full time resource teaching job now have part-time teachers who travel between schools - a situation which is hardly ideal for anyone concerned. Schools are not entitled to combine learning support and Resource even though teachers are qualified in both teaching scenarios.

The children of today are tomorrow's future. We have to give these children a voice and I call on these cuts to be reversed immediately. These cuts will have consequences on all children in our education system. The timing of this announcement is also questionable. It was foisted on school communities and families days after teachers voted to accept the Haddington Road Agreement.   After making considerable progress in the area of Special Needs in recent years, it now looks as if this government does not see the true value of providing adequate resources for our young people with special needs. The Minister should  make an announcement to reverse these cuts before the end of the week.