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Dáil Question to Minister for Education and Science Batt O'Keefe |
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Tuesday, 24 February 2009 11:50 |
Question: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a case (details supplied). - Finian McGrath.
Details Attd. Louise O’Connor on St Brendan’s BNS and Scoil Catriona, Dublin 5
Question: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a school (details supplied) in Dublin 5. - Finian McGrath.
Details Attd. Edenmore GNS, Dublin 5. See attached details from Adrienne Nolan
*For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 19th February, 2008.
Reference Number: 6695/09, 6736/09, 6774/09, 6775/09
Freagra
Minister Batt O’Keeffe
The Deputies will be aware that all primary schools have been allocated additional teaching resources to enable them support pupils with high incidence special educational needs including mild general learning disability (MGLD). All primary schools were given these additional teaching resources under the General Allocation Model of learning support/resource teaching introduced in 2005. Schools can decide how best to use this allocation based on the needs of the pupils. Most pupils with a MGLD are included in ordinary classes with their peers and are supported by their class teacher. The curriculum is flexible so that teachers can cater for the needs of children of different abilities.
The Deputies will be aware that allocations to schools typically increase or decrease depending on pupil enrolment. In the case of classes for MGLD the normal pupil teacher ratio that applies is 11:1. My Department however allows for a small reduction in this number and permits schools to retain a teaching post where it has a minimum of 9 pupils in the class. In the schools in question, the number of pupils dropped below this minimum. These schools therefore are no longer entitled to the teaching posts in these classes.
IN 2005 when the General Allocation Model was introduced, schools with additional teachers in classes for MGLD were allowed to retain the teachers for these classes. Effectively, these schools received a double allocation. The number of these special classes has decreased over the years and schools have integrated the children into age –appropriate mainstream classes.
All of the other primary schools in the country who do not have classes for children with MGLD cater for these pupils from within the General Allocation Model.
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