There has been a very significant increase in the number of special classes opened in recent years. There are now 2,148 special classes in operation in primary and in post-primary schools, of which 1,900 cater for children with autism. A range of training supports and opportunities is available to teachers in the area of inclusive education.
Following engagement between the Department and the Teaching Council, all ITE students must now complete a module on inclusive education as part of their studies. Inclusive Education is described as ‘any aspect of teachers’ learning aimed at improving their capacity to address and respond to the diversity of learners’ needs; to enable their participation in learning; and remove barriers to education through the accommodation and provision of appropriate structures and arrangements to enable each learner to achieve the maximum benefit from his /her attendance at school’.
The NCSE Regional Support Service provides advice and support to schools on the education and inclusion of students with special educational needs, providing in-school support for teachers and continuing professional development for teachers with additional training needs. The Support Service continues to update current CPD courses and design new CPD courses in response to the needs of teachers. Schools can apply for CPD courses directly to the NCSE on their on-line application portal, further information is available on the NCSE website at ncse.ie/tpl.
Special classes in a start-up situation are targeted for specific support. Care is taken in the planning of these classes and the provision of specialist training and support.
Notwithstanding the range of supports provided, including over 300 Department funded places on postgraduate programmes for teachers supporting children and young people with special educational needs, and in order to reflect the very significant growth in the number of special classes in our schools, the Department will consider any additional specialist training required to support teachers in this area. In that regard, the Department will consider the number of applications for these courses nationwide, including the course specifically referenced by the Deputy, and may engage with relevant HEIs to explore the potential to expand current provision at post-graduate level.