School resumes for kids with learning difficulties

Beleaguered parents are hopeful that their children with severe learning difficulties will be able to return to Rosedale School in Renmore next month – but they are still awaiting guidelines around social distancing.

Minister for Education, Joe McHugh, announced there would be an extended summer programme for children with special needs and students in DEIS or disadvantaged schools following an outcry from parents as first reported in the Galway City Tribune.

Summer Provision 2020 will have in-school or home-based supports by teachers and special needs assistants to prevent regression for pupils with autism or severe and profound learning difficulties.

The programme will also be opened up to children transitioning from early years into a special class in primary school or special school and for primary school pupils in mainstream classes who present with Down Syndrome, students who are deaf or hard of hearing, children with severe visual impairment, children with a moderate general learning disability or those diagnosed with a severe emotional behavioural difficulty.

It will also fund a numeracy and literacy programme in summer camps in the 890 DEIS schools. The HSE will thirdly provide summer camp-style support for 1,200 children with complex needs.

He promised that school transport will be provided and the Schools Meals Programme will return.

Parents at Rosedale have yet to get definitive confirmation that classes will return next month, said Angelina Hynes, mother of Zoe and chairperson of the school’s parents’ association.

“The school is still waiting for details on the Covid-19 guidelines on social distancing but we’re very hopeful it will reopen. The principal is liaising with the Department of Education and doing a lot of work in the background,” she stated.

“I can’t speak for other schools and of course it depends on getting SNAs and teachers to work but we’re very hopeful our children can go at least two or three days a week for four weeks. We all drew a breath and were very relieved last Friday on the announcement.”

The parents had written to local TDs in their campaign for the school to hold classes for the 47 pupils of the facility run by the Brothers of Charity.

Minister McHugh said the Government is determined to support families who have felt the deepest impact from the closure of schools.

“Summer Provision 2020 is a significant expansion of support for the children and families who are most in need. The aim is to help address the concerns that families are feeling over the loss of in-school time and learning for children with special needs and those at greatest risk of disadvantage.”

A dedicated online registration system for families of children with special needs to access Summer Provision is now open HERE.