An MLA has said that she is "deeply concerned" that hundreds of SEN children remain without a school place ahead of the new academic year in September.
Lagan Valley MLA and Alliance Party Education spokesperson, Michelle Guy, was speaking after writing to Education Minister Paul Givan, who has confirmed circa 400 SEN pupils remain without a place in advance of September. Ms Guy said the pupils were being failed by the education system.
In response to a written question from Ms Guy, Education Minister Paul Givan said that he had been advised by the EA that: "Early planning assumptions for September 2025 showed that there was a need for circa 1300 places. While the EA has worked to increase the majority of this capacity across the school estate, there is an assumed pressure of circa 400 places remaining in advance of the new academic year.
"The EA has now commenced a more intensive round of engagements, prior to Easter, with those schools in areas with the greatest demand for capacity to secure the remaining placements in advance of the new academic year."
Michelle Guy said that special schools in NI have been "under-resourced and over-capacity for too long."
“The Education Authority initially stated there was a need for 1,300 places for pupils with SEN. So while progress has been made, it is unacceptable that 400 pupils remain without a school place with only months left before the new academic year begins,” she said.
“Special schools have been under-resourced and over-capacity for too long. This is not a one-off but rather a crisis which occurs year after year. The DUP has been in charge of the Education Department for almost a decade, and yet we are still having children and families go through the same scenario, with often devastating consequences, annually.
“The Education Minister recently published a SEN reform plan, which has over a hundred high-level actions listed. It is crucial we see delivery on all of it. Every child needs education suitable for their circumstances in order to be able to realise their full potential.
“ Alliance will continue to engage with the Education Authority, the Education Minister and the Department to help support the young people affected, and achieve the education they should have by right.”
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