Education Minister Helen McEntee admits that many teachers are unprepared or lack confidence when teaching in special education settings. This news follows mounting concerns about the availability of suitable school places for children with special needs. McEntee announces plans to mandate special education placements for all student teachers.
Education Minister Helen McEntee has revealed that a significant number of teachers express concerns or lack confidence when it comes to teaching in special education classes. McEntee made these remarks while announcing plans to mandate a placement period in a special education setting for all student teachers. This initiative arises from escalating concerns regarding the insufficient number of suitable school placement s for children with additional needs.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, McEntee stressed the importance of teachers being equipped to teach in diverse settings, including both mainstream and special classrooms. She shared feedback received from various teacher unions, indicating that many teachers worry about their ability to adequately support students with additional needs in specialized classrooms. They expressed concerns about lacking the necessary capacity and confidence to provide optimal teaching and learning experiences for these students. McEntee emphasized the need to integrate special education knowledge into teacher training from the outset, ensuring that all educators are prepared to handle the diverse needs of all students. She highlighted the fact that 97% of children attend mainstream classes, including those with additional needs who receive support from Special Needs Assistants. This underscores the importance of all teachers possessing the skills and knowledge to support these students effectively. McEntee further stated that the number of children being diagnosed with additional needs is rising, necessitating a proactive approach to ensure all teachers are adequately prepared. Under the proposed plans, a Guidance Note for Higher Education Institutions will be issued during the third quarter of this year regarding an assessed student placement period in a special education setting. The aim is to implement these changes by September 2026
Special Education Teacher Training Inclusion Educational Needs School Placement
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