AsIAm and Inclusion joint statement on "Inclusive Special Classes".

AsIAm and Inclusion Ireland express deep concern about the Department of Education and Youth's recent announcement on "Inclusive Special Classes" .

Yet again, this announcement was made without any consultation with children, families and their representative organisations.  This is a  pattern; the people who will experience these shifts in policy most profoundly are the ones who are not at the table and who do not have their voices heard. 

Both organisations have written to the Minister and to department officials requesting an urgent meeting. We also call for a pause in the proposed changes until comprehensive consultation takes place.

Rather than co designing policy meaningfully and strategically, this piecemeal approach causes unnecessary and avoidable confusion and upset for our communities.  It is beyond time children's voices were centred in policy which deeply affects their lives. 

Read Department Statement

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