Dr. Rosalyn Tamming:

On the first question, about special schools, I would argue that there are not too few schools. If we are going down an inclusive education route, we really need to start asking questions about building more special schools and opening more special classes. It has to be done very much on a phased basis. Deputy Ó Murchú asked how much would be needed and Dr. Craddock said there were very few resources in Portugal. However, I believe that, for a period, a parallel system will be needed. You will have to get schools that have a more inclusive ethos on board and demonstrate to parents that there are alternatives to a special class. That has to be worked out but there are good models elsewhere based on fluid movement in and out of the classroom. The base is that children are placed in a mainstream class and leave it when required, rather than being in a special class and leaving it for a mainstream one now and again. You gradually build it up. It will work very well for some children, whereas other children will have more difficulties. At the moment, the default for many children seems to be a special class or special school, and that really has to be challenged. The Deputy’s point on bussing children long distances is absolutely right. Why are they passing so many schools on the way?