We’ve already acknowledged the significant steps forward taken by the Education Authority (EA) to address the crisis in Special Educational Needs (SEN) places across Northern Ireland. To support their schools for the 2025-26 school year, they’ve introduced 1,374 extra accommodations. Education officials are sounding all sorts of alarms over the increasing competition for these coveted seats. As Deputy Secretary Mr. Richard Pengelly reminds us, we should get ready for an even greater demand next year.
In June, the EA took the initiative to reach out to school principals. They even floated a proposal to require certain schools to accept kids with special educational needs (SEN). This is a much needed first step to relieve the burden on our education system. It has at the same time been wrestling with an ongoing SEN placements crisis. Earlier this year, Mr. Chris Quinn, a prominent figure in the education sector, pointed out a potential deficit of 164 SEN places, indicating the urgency of the situation.
This has not been the case, with just 26% of non-specialist schools in Northern Ireland able to provide specialist provision for their SEN students. Mr Graham Gault, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers Northern Ireland, welcomed EA’s initiative to provide more school places. Yet, he pointed out that at the heart of this issue is the persistent, long-standing, chronic underfunding of education by the Northern Ireland Executive.
“The fundamental issue remains chronic underfunding of education by the Northern Ireland Executive.” – Graham Gault
Gault stressed that school leaders want to provide specialist provisions. There are deep systemic problems that stop schools from doing them well.
“Complex systemic issues prevent schools from taking on specialist provision classes, and these barriers must be properly understood and addressed.” – Graham Gault
The EA has come under fire for the current lack of SEN places. Second, it has failed to get enough money from the Northern Ireland Executive. Mr. Quinn’s most pointed criticism was at the lack of sincere engagement from the administration and Congress in addressing these issues.
“I am extremely concerned that, in the absence of meaningful engagement at the highest level, the same failures will continue to be repeated.” – Chris Quinn
Quinn highlighted that no child should have to wait for a proper place to school or the support they need to learn with their peers.
“Every single one of these children deserves an appropriate school place, the right support, and the opportunity to learn alongside their peers.” – Chris Quinn
Though Gault expressed appreciation for these recently-made moves by the EA, they are only a first step. At the same time, he cautioned, there’s a long way to go. The answer, argues Heberer, is a multi-tiered approach that makes sure every school is pulling their weight in providing specialized education.
“That will have to involve working towards a position where all schools are involved in providing specialist provision – where SEN teaching is mainstreamed in every sense of the word.” – Richard Pengelly
As Northern Ireland continues to address these issues, it will be important for education officials, advocates, and other stakeholders to come together to forge more sustainable solutions. The urgent need to rectify this serious shortcoming cannot be overstated, as families continue to wait for hard-earned benefits for their children.
