Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2015
753. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to help gifted children in primary and secondary schools excel, and if necessary skip academic years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28235/15]
View answerI wish to firstly advise the Deputy that the 1998 Education Act requires Boards of Management of each school to publish the policy of the school relating to participation by students with special educational needs, including students who are exceptionally able. The measures schools take in this regard are required to be stated in the school plan. It is the duty of the Board of Management to ensure that appropriate education services are made available to such students. Schools at both primary and second level use strategies such as curriculum differentiation, curriculum enrichment and acceleration to facilitate the development of pupils who are exceptionally able. Syllabi and curricula for second-level schools have been designed in such a way to enable teachers cater for the wide range of pupil ability. The revised primary curriculum recognises the importance of developing the full potential of the child and caters for pupil diversity, including meeting the needs of exceptionally able pupils. Enabling children to learn how to learn is stressed and facilitated. The development of language skills, investigatory and problem-solving skills, higher-order thinking skills and working individually, and as a member of a group, are all encouraged at both levels. Support for teachers to assist them in meeting the needs of all pupils with special educational needs, including those pupils who are exceptionally able, is available through the Special Education Support Service (SESS) and the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST). Finally, I wish to advise the Deputy that the allocation of a child to a particular class in a school is a matter for the authorities of the school following consultation, as appropriate, with the child's parents. A decision to allocate a child to a class out of normal sequence may be made by the school following detailed consultation with the parents and following careful consideration of the child's age and their educational and social needs. The level of provision available should enable pupils to make progress in keeping with their needs and abilities and to move consecutively through the different class levels in the school along with their peers. The criteria for entry to Post Primary school are set out in the Rules and Programmes for Secondary Schools. If any part of the criteria are not met, the matter would be referred to my Department's Inspectorate for investigation and recommendation.
