Signatures were collected from schools across the country to object to the removal of complex needs as a criterion for SET allocation and to rectify this with immediate effect by gathering data from schools through POD (Primary Online Database) to ascertain the level of Special Educational Needs in schools annually. The petition gained substantial cover in all media outlets including national newspapers.
Here is just a small sample of the articles:
- Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/education/2024/03/06/most-schools-appealing-for-more-learning-support-hours-are-turned-down/
- RTE: https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/0308/1436659-teaching-hours/ and https://www.rte.ie/news/education/2024/0305/1436116-special-needs/
- Irish Examiner: https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41344082.html
- The Journal: https://www.thejournal.ie/principals-petition-complex-needs-special-education-6316266-Mar2024/
- AsIAm: https://asiam.ie/96-of-parents-fear-the-impact-of-department-of-educations-proposed-changes-to-special-education-teacher-allocation/
- Echo Live: https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41347736.html
- Gript: https://gript.ie/700-primary-schools-principals-sign-petition-urging-re-examination-of-specal-education-allocations/
We were heartened to see other primary principal colleagues write collectively to the Minister for Education in Co. Clare and Co. Dublin about the SET Allocations.
We are disappointed by the response from the IPPN who, without consultation with principals, claimed the 700+ principals that signed the petition were spreading “misinformation” to parents. They stated that “the SET Allocations “children with complex needs have not been excluded from the allocation of hours that schools received.” We call on them now to detail how these children were included in the allocation calculations.
Until this year, allocations were calculated on 5 criteria: enrollment, literacy and numeracy scores, complex needs data, gender, and DEIS status.
This year the allocations were calculated on 3 criteria: enrollment, literacy and numeracy scores, and DEIS status.
Complex Needs data was dropped for allocations and Literacy and Numeracy scores took up the gap this left.
As any principal or teacher will tell you, literacy and numeracy scores are not necessarily an indicator of complex needs. Children with complex needs can (and often do) score highly on standardised tests.
AsIAm, Inclusion Ireland, Down’s Syndrome Ireland and Neurodiversity Ireland are also calling for the Department of Education and NCSE to re-examine the allocations model.
We will continue to stand united for integrity. The Department of Education has yet to respond to the National Principals’ Forum.