Hanafin criticises secondary schools' record in special needs

Minister for Education Mary Hanafin has accused some second-level schools of not doing enough to support students with special educational needs.

She said some schools were happy to refer prospective students to another school in their locality instead of accepting their responsibilities.

Schools, she said, were aware of a child's learning needs when parents came for pre-enrolment. But some were reluctant to accept the pupil in question.

The Minister has received complaints from some schools that they carry an undue burden in relation to special needs.

The practice of suggesting other schools was common in every town with three or four schools, said Ms Hanafin. Her comments drew warm applause from delegates at the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD).

In other developments, Ms Hanafin rejected the NAPD proposal for a forum on education. She had no intention of setting up what she termed "another talking shop" on education. Over 5,000 people had attended the Your Education System meetings last year and she saw little need for another forum.

She also questioned the policy of the Gaelscoil in Tralee, Co Kerry, where some parents complain their children are being denied English language tuition. In her view, every child was entitled to tuition in their second language, in this case English.