Education Authority In Northern Ireland Apologizes To Parents Over Special School Nurseries' Hours Being Shortened

The Education Authority (EA) in Northern Ireland has issued an apology over how it handled the controversial proposition of cutting down the numbers of hours of special school nurseries after parents have expressed their disappointment over the matter.

BBC reported that the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Stormont's education committee questioned the officials from EA on Wednesday. MLAs said that the EA mishandled the plans causing serious reputational damage.

During the meeting, MLAs expressed their criticism over the proposal. Vice-chair of the committee, Chris Lyttle, said that she was unhappy about it and the approach was unacceptable. She pointed out that it was inconsistent and contradictory as well as not having adequate communication and engagement.

Another MLA, Catherine Seeley, said that she had a lot of conveners over the move as it will make children attend special school nurseries for only 2.5 hours a day. She added, "I don't think that is receptive to the different needs of different, individual children."

Committee chair Barry McElduff then said that the EA should apologize to the parents of the affected pupils. The chair of the EA, Sharon O'Connor, then said they are "very sorry for the upset that parents are continuing to experience" during the meeting. After the meeting, she echoed her earlier statements saying that she wants to assure the parents that "no longer term changes to existing arrangements will be implemented" now.

O'Connor pointed out that nothing will be implemented unless a review will be done including a full consultation involving school principals, parents, practitioners, and other relevant parties.

The latest statements form the EA comes three months after they proposed to cut pre-school provision in all special school nurseries from 22.5 hours a week to just 12.5 hours. If and then the cut in school hours would have been implemented, 14 special schools offering full-time hours to disabled children would have been affected.

It could take half a year or the review of the plans of the EA to be complete. The EA sent letters to special school principals saying that they would not go ahead with the original plan until at least September of 2017. However, the cutting of hours will not be suspended to six special schools. The cuts will be implemented by September 2016.