Special Education – Everyone knows it’s time for change

2 December 2015
Special Education – Everyone knows it’s time for change

IHC New Zealand and the Inclusive Education Action Group (IEAG) are part of a unanimous call for change to Special Education – it’s time for the Government to act.

IHC and IEAG are presenting their joint oral submission to the Education and Science Select Committee inquiry at midday today into the identification and support for students with the significant challenges of dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism spectrum disorders in primary and secondary schools.

IHC and IEAG believe every child has a right to the ‘world class inclusive education’ promised in the Special Education Policy.

The inquiry follows a long line of recorded difficulties and failures in policy that have sparked government reviews, Education Review Office reports, claims from professional bodies (including principals, teachers and specialists), concern from NGOs and IHC’s legal action about the right to be protected from discrimination at school.

IHC’s own survey has gathered some pretty distressing numbers – from parents and education professionals.

“A frightening 70 per cent of parents surveyed reported difficulty in getting specialist support,” says IHC’s Director of Advocacy, Trish Grant. “75 per cent reported finding classroom teachers lacked the training, confidence, skills and/or knowledge needed to teach children with disabilities.”

“The numbers are pretty similar from education professionals too, with 72 per cent reporting difficulty in accessing specialist support and 70 per cent also referring to teachers lacking the training, skills, knowledge and confidence to teach.”

“The difficulties with special education policy are being played out in schools all over the country,” says IEAG’s Heather Lear. “It’s putting huge pressure on schools and parents. Everyone becomes frustrated, relationships break down and the children suffer.”

“Schools, medical professionals and specialists say that the time and financial resources to do right by our children just aren’t there,” says Trish Grant.

“In fact, some report incentives to turn away children and young people at the door.”

“This isn’t good enough. Children with disabilities aren’t ‘other’ children. Like all our young people they are the individuals we need to support in order for them to grown into included, valued and contributing citizens.”

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