Wicklow principal warns proposed system changes put special needs pupils at risk of dropping out
The principal of a special school in Bray said that students will be at risk of becoming “drop outs” following proposed changes to the special school system across Ireland.
It follows a letter circulated by the Department of Education outlining its plans to review the designation of existing special schools for the academic year 2026/2027. While the plan is to be finalised by December, it states that where there is a need for special class places in a local area but no available school to meet this need, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) can approach other schools to open special classes.
The Department and the NSCE also said they intend to review the designation of existing special schools to ensure that all special schools respond to the needs of children in their local region, rather than children having to travel past one or more special schools to access a special school placement due to the designation of those schools.
Published in The Irish Independent, 18th June 2025