Sean Canney Independent TD has called for a review of the criteria for the allocation of Special Education Teaching (SET ) Hours to National Schools following the allocation of hours to National Schools by the Department of Education this week.
He said that he understands that in Galway East, nearly 50% of schools have received a cut in their support teaching hours, over 20% remain unchanged and less than 30% gained hours. Concerns are being expressed by schools in relation to the release of the new model of SET allocation this week.
In some schools the changes have resulted in a five hour cut to support hours per week which is a whole day’s teaching lost per week for our most vulnerable pupils.
"The most worrying thing however is how the SET hours are calculated from this year onwards. According to Circular 0002/2024, allocations will be based on three criteria: pupil enrolment, educational disadvantage, and literacy & numeracy scores. There is absolutely no consideration given to pupils’ complex needs," he said.
"Some pupils who perform comfortably on standardised tests, however, they have social, emotional, physical and language needs that are being completely ignored and unsupported by the Department.
"According to the Circular, while the support hours are only granted using these 3 criteria, schools are expected to “allocate their hours based on the identified educational needs of their pupils and not based on the 3 individual pillars used to create the profile," he said.
Deputy Canney said the Department claim that the overall SET allocation has remained unchanged.
"However, they are borrowing off Peter to pay Paul, taking from one school and its pupils and giving to another school regardless of the needs of the pupils.
“I as a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters, believe that this whole area of Support Teaching Hours needs to be examined carefully as it is an issue that faces the pupils in front of teachers today and in future years and will have a huge impact on the student’s development," he said, adding that every child needs to be given the opportunity to realise their full potential and no child should be left behind.
