It is now well documented that a key focus for the Department of Education and Youth and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) for the 2026/2027 school year will be on providing additional special classes in post-primary schools. For the current Minister for Education it seems to be the only show in town, such is the political capital she has invested in this crusade.
In the past few weeks, school trustees were summoned to meet officials from the department and the NCSE and presented with a list of schools under their trusteeship that have no special class in place. Trustees were given one week to inform the department if they believed there were very exceptional circumstances that would prevent a special class from being accommodated in their school.
The basis for such meetings was recently provided for under the Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Act 2022 and the commencement of the remaining sections of the Education Act 1998 as introd
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