A SCHOOL in one of the most disadvantaged areas in Dublin will have to close a special needs class as Government cutbacks take effect from September.
Robbie O’Leary, principal of a disadvantaged primary school in Killinarden, Tallaght, said yesterday he decided to speak out on the issue because of the “crisis situation’’ facing his school and others in disadvantaged areas.
He said the impact of the cuts on his school undermines claims by Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe that poorer children will not be asked to bear the brunt of the cutbacks.
“I can see from my own experience that most needy and vulnerable children in this country will suffer. It is a matter of massive frustration to me and my staff that the Government is damaging schools like ours, struggling to support Ireland’s most needy pupils.’’
The education sector is bracing itself for the implementation of the education cuts announced by the Minister earlier this year.
As part of the cuts package, over 100 classes for children with mild learning difficulties will be closed. The Minister insists these children can be integrated successfully into regular classes.
Mr O’Leary, principal of Scoil an Chroi Ro Naofa, disputed these claims. “Anyone who has spent time in a school will know that many of these children will simply not survive in mainstream settings that is why an educational psychologist has recommended a special class placement.’’
Mr O’Leary’s school is designated as among the most disadvantaged in the State by the Department of Education.
The school has 22 members of staff but this will be cut back to 20 from September even though pupil numbers are increasing.
One of the staff cuts is due to the closure of a special class for children with mild learning needs. The other is a consequence of the change in the pupil-teacher ratio.
The school appealed the loss of the special needs class but this was not successful.
He said yesterday: “The consequences of all this are that there will be larger class sizes and less support for the most needy and vulnerable children. This school serves one of the most marginalised communities in Dublin, but the school’s capacity to provide the children with the best opportunity they will ever have to break out of the cycle of poverty and deprivation has been substantially cut.
‘‘Clearly pupils in schools of disadvantaged status are not protected from the cutbacks,’’ said Mr O’Leary.
INTO general secretary John Carr said it was wrong to pretend that these children would make satisfactory progress in ordinary classrooms, which are already among the most overcrowded in the EU.
