It is now too late in the school year for the Department of Education to introduce its new weighted system for special needs provision, the INTO has claimed.
In a strong attack on the delays by the Department in introducing the new system, Mr John Carr claimed that the only way to make progress was to freeze all special education staffing in schools at their current levels.
The 350 new posts which had recently been announced by the Department could then be used to clear the backlog.
"Current special education staffing levels must be retained in every primary school next September," he said.
"From September to December 2004 we will engage with the Department of Education to agree reallocation of staff for a fair and equitable system for September 2005."
High-level "crisis" talks with the Department were necessary to avoid major disruption in primary schools, Mr Carr said.
"With six weeks to go to the end of the school year schools do not know what staffing they will have to meet special needs. Over 6,000 children are on a waiting list for help, with more special needs pupils starting in September," he said.
"Educational disadvantage has not been taken into account. Gender issues in special education are being ignored and small schools are losing out under the new proposals."
However, the Department of Education said last night it had been working on the weighted model for the allocation of posts for special needs. This would be combined with the current model of specific allocations for more acute cases.
It had already met on a number of occasions with representatives of the INTO and, in developing the weighted system, was considering its views.
"While the final details of the weighted system have not been decided upon, the Department is working to ensure that its introduction and the allocation of the 350 additional posts secured by the Minister take account of any transitional difficulties arising for schools," it said.
"The 350 additional posts will be fully dedicated to special needs pupils. The Department will shortly be arranging a further meeting with the INTO to progress the issues."