Jan 19, 2025, Belfast Live: Over 200 NI kids with special needs in wrong school, says Paul Givan
Over 200 children with a statement of special educational needs in Northern Ireland are in a school that isn't suitable, it has emerged.
A total of 233 'statemented' children have been recommended for a change of school, according to Education Minister Paul Givan.
The news comes as the Education Authority warns of a “critical and imminent” need for all schools in Northern Ireland to include provision for children with special educational needs.
The EA launched its new operational plan for 2024-26 this week, which states that in the next decade, the number of pupils in schools in the region will decrease, but the total number of children with identified additional needs will rise.
The plan aims to address key priorities in primary, special and post-primary education, with a focus on meeting the increasing demand for SEN places. It covers the period from September 2024 to August 2026, with deferred publication.
That came after Education Minister Paul Givan, speaking in the Assembly earlier this week, announced a new Special Educational Needs Reform Agenda with a five-year plan to put the changes in place.
“The need for change is clear and the scale of the challenge is significant," Mr Givan told MLAs on Monday.
"This programme of reform will require significant and sustained investment. I will continue to make the case to the Executive for appropriate investment in our Education system to deliver on these important reforms.
“I am committed to delivering this much needed change during my mandate and to ensuring that our children and young people with special educational needs receive the support they deserve.”

Comentarios