Sir, - I wish to express my concern at the recent proposal to increase pupil allocation in special classes from six to 12. As a teacher of 18 years and a special education teacher in an autism programme, I know the level of support these students require to settle and succeed.
Doubling class sizes without significantly increasing resources, staffing or suitable facilities will reduce the quality of support for each child. Many schools simply do not have the space or capacity for such expansion.
As an educator I am committed to delivering the highest standard of support to my students, but this is only possible when I am provided with the appropriate conditions and resources to do so.
At a time when we face teacher shortages and retention issues, increasing demands without proper supports risks further damaging a system already on its knees. Ultimately, it is autistic students and their families who will suffer most.
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A society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. This proposal falls short of that standard. – Yours, etc,
Helen O’Hanlon,
Donoughmore,
Co Cork.
