The Clare based President Elect of the ASTI believes the redeployment of SNA duties to combat the lack of mainstream teachers is creating a significant barrier to education to special needs students.
It comes as the association has warned that Ireland is currently in the midst of its greatest ever teacher recruitment crisis.
With just over a fortnight to go until the resumption of the school term, approximately 456 post primary across the country lie vacant today, including ten in Clare.
According to educationposts.ie, three of the positions to be filled in this county are for the role of Special Needs Assitant.
However the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland is raising concerns that the lack of mainstream teaching staff will now significantly compound the burden facing students hoping to avail of special needs education.
A Red C Poll in April found that 75% of Secondary Schools across the country received no expressions of interest for teaching vacancies.
The shortfall has forced may SNAs to take on additional supervisory duties in the classroom rather than spending time with special needs students.
Clare ASTI President Elect and Kilkee teacher Geraldine O’Brien says the most vulnerable students are bearing the greatest brunt.
Prior to 2020, Special Needs Assistants operating in Primary and Secondary Schools were allocated to individual students, however a recent policy change from the Department of Education has seen the allocation reflect school size instead.
This means minimum hours for special needs students are no longer ringfenced but determined at the discretion of school management.
Ennis Independent Councillor Ann Norton, whose daughter required an SNA throughout her school term, says students need further supports.
Clare’s Aontú Representative meanwhile claims the current starting salary for secondary school teachers is preventing people from taking up the profession.
In 2014, the length of the Primary Masters in Education programme was doubled from one to two years, adding an additional €5,500 to student fees.
Although a PME allowance has been included in the latest incremental salary scale for teachers, Aontú MidWest PRO and Assitant Principal at St.Munchin’s College, Eric Nelligan believes this has been negated by the cost of living crisis.
