20260209_IRISH__athruithe_ar_mheasunu_cainte_ag_priomhoidi_scoileanna_speisialta

 jQuery(document).ready(function(){ cab.clickify(); }); Original Podcast with clickable words https://tinyurl.com/227xqtjg Contact: [email protected] Changes to critical assessment by special school principals. Athruithe ar mheasúnú cáinte ag príomhoidí scoileanna speisialta. The Government’s decision to remove the requirement that a child must have a formal diagnosis of a specific disability to be enrolled in a special school has been criticised by principals of those schools. Tá cinneadh an Rialtais fáil réidh leis an riachtanas a bhíodh ann go mbeadh diagnóis fhoirmeálta de mhíchumas ar leith ag gasúr le clárú i scoil speisialta cáinte ag príomhoidí ar na scoileanna sin. The National Association of Special School Principals (NASSP) says a crucial part of the registration process has been sidelined and will undermine schools’ professional judgement on the appropriate placement and the most favourable learning outcomes for students. Deir Cumann na bPríomhoidí Scoileanna Speisialta (an NASSP) go bhfuil mír chinniúnach den phróiseas clárúcháin curtha go leataobh agus go ndéanfar dochar de bhreith ghairmiúil scoileanna ar an socrúchán cuí agus na torthaí foghlamtha is fabhraí do dhaltaí. The new regime was announced in December by the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley. Mí na Nollag a d’fhógair an tAire Leanaí, Míchumais agus Comhionannais Norma Foley an réimeas nua. The Minister said at the time that the Department was making the amendment to ensure that a child would have the support they needed, and to reduce the time spent on assessment. Dúirt an tAire ag an am gur chun a chinntiú go mbeadh an tacaíocht atá ag teastáil ó ghasúr, agus chun an t-am a chaitear ar mheasúnú a laghdú, a bhí an leasú á dhéanamh ag an Roinn. But the Principals’ Association says the decision was announced without consulting special schools at all. Ach deir Cumann na bPríomhoidí gur fógraíodh an cinneadh gan a ghabháil i gcomhairle in aon chor le scoileanna speisialta. NASSP Co-Chair Matt Swain says that “the capacity of special schools to plan and provide for and care for vulnerable children has been undermined.” Deir ComhChathaoirleach an NASSP Matt Swain go bhfuil “an bonn bainte de chumas scoileanna speisialta tabhairt faoi phleanáil agus soláthar agus cúram pháistí leochaileacha. “A professional report on a child’s ability is essential evidence to ensure that a student is placed in the most appropriate school setting.” Is bun-fhianaise í tuarascáil ghairimiúil ar chumas páiste le cinntiú go socraítear dalta san suíomh scolaíochta is oiriúnaigh.” The Association says that schools may now have to accept students without the school fully understanding the student’s diagnosis, developmental profile, or support needs, which would increase the risk of inappropriate placement. Deir an Cumann go mb’fhéidir go mbeadh ar scoileanna glacadh anois le daltaí gan tuiscint iomlán ag an scoil ar dhiagnóis, ná próifíl forbartha, ná riachtanais tacaíochta an dalta, rud a chuirfeadh leis an mbaol go ndéanfaí socrúchán míchuí. They say it would also disrupt team planning, resource allocation and personalized learning programs, and that the provision of education for all students could be disrupted. Chuirfí as freisin a deir siad do phleanáil foirne, dáileadh acmhainní agus cláir foghlamtha pearsantaithe, agus go mb’fhéidir go gcuirfí as don soláthar oideachais do gach dalta. Principals are also concerned that it will not be possible to ensure a safe learning environment, especially with the amount of pressure on teaching staff. Tá imní ar phríomhoidí freisin nach mbeifear inann láthair shábháilte foghlamtha a chinntiú, go háirid agus an oiread brú mar atá ar an bhfoireann teagaisc. They are urging the Department of Education to work with school management and leadership to come up with a better strategy. Tá siad ag impí ar an Roinn Oideachais gníomhú i gcuideachta le bainistíocht agus cinnireacht na scoileanna le theacht ar straitéis níos fearr.