More help is needed for special needs children in Northern Ireland amid concerns over rocketing autism rates.
That’s the view of Karen Mullan, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Northern Ireland, who is Sinn Féin’s education spokesperson.
MLA Karen Mullan has pressed Northern Ireland’s Education Authority and Department of Education for more cash for special needs pupils
Mullan, MLA for Foyle, says she has pressed both Northern Ireland’s Education Authority (EA) and the Department of Education (DoE) for greater resources.
‘Fit for purpose’?
Meanwhile, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) in Northern Ireland has called for a full audit of the EA to assess whether it is “fit for purpose”.
Mullan was one of a group of MLAs who came together for a meeting organised by the NAHT over what it describes as an education funding “crisis” in the province.
On the issue of a probe into the EA, Mullan demanded “scrutiny and accountability” be put in place.
Autism numbers more than doubled
Figures obtained by the BBC show the number of children diagnosed with autism has more than doubled in five years. Last year there were 2,345, compared with 1,047 five years earlier.
Mullan urged the EA to listen to special needs families and ensure their needs are “properly addressed”.
She said she wants improvements in “assessments, classroom assistants and early years intervention”.
The NAHT accuses civil servants of hanging on to cash intended for schools.
Special needs ‘one of the areas in greatest need of investment’
It says spending per pupil is 46 per cent higher in Scotland, 18 per cent greater in England and 31 per cent higher in Wales.
The NAHT says special needs is one of the areas in greatest need of investment.
Autism Eye approached both the EA and the DoE for comment, they did not respond.
Related:
- Northern Ireland funding ‘not enough’
- Commissioner slams support in N Ireland
- N Ireland schools ‘almost in crisis’
- Call for autism schools in N Ireland
- Radical N Ireland school plans blasted
- N Ireland pay hikes at top despite cuts
- Parents take action over N Ireland cuts
- Cuts hit ‘crucial help’ in N Ireland
- Parents defy dire services in N Ireland
- Huge increase in diagnosis in N Ireland
Published: 27 March 2019
