The proposed new system of teacher allocation involves a general allocation to all primary schools to cater for pupils with a higher-incidence of special educational needs, that is, pupils with borderline mild and mild general learning disability and specific learning disability. The allocation is also intended to support those with learning support needs, that is, those functioning at or below the tenth percentile on a standardised test of reading or mathematics. An additional 350 teacher posts are being provided to facilitate the introduction of the new system. Individual applications may continue to be made for specific resource teacher allocations in respect of pupils with lower-incidence special educational needs.
Under the proposed model of resource teacher allocation, the school would be due to lose ten resource teaching hours per week when the system is fully implemented. However, schools have not yet lost resource teaching hours except in cases where pupils have left the schools, and then only in schools that have part-time teaching hours. The school in question currently has the services of a full-time resource teacher and the services of a shared learning support teacher. I am conscious of difficulties that could arise due to this model, particularly for children in small and rural schools, if it were implemented as currently proposed. Accordingly, I am having the proposed model reviewed to ensure that it provides an automatic response for pupils with common mild learning disabilities, without the need for cumbersome individual applications, while at the same time ensuring that pupils currently in receipt of service continue to receive the level of service appropriate to their needs. The review will involve consultation with representative interests and the National Council for Special Education before it is implemented next year.
The school submitted four individual applications for resource teaching support. The applications have been examined by the National Educational Psychological Service and based on the documentation provided, it was considered that these pupils' needs did not warrant resource teaching support. The school authorities have been notified accordingly. My Department has no record of receiving an appeal from the school concerning these applications. However, my Department will make arrangements to have the applications re-examined should the school submit any additional information in support of the applications.
