Protesters demand equality in education for Louth children with additional needs

A public demonstration for “Equality in Education” was held initially at the Square in Dundalk on Saturday before moving to outside Fianna Fail TD Erin McGreehan’s office.

The demonstration was organised by All Abilities Action Alliance Louth (4AL) in collaboration with People Before Profit.
Affected parents, children and supporters attended the demo with signs reading “Equal rights now”, “Secondary School Places For All”, “I Want to go to school” and “Appropriate School Place is my right”. The demo concluded with the chant “let them in, let them in!”

Eimear McNally, an affected parent and 4AL member, said: “ We know there is a lack of special needs classes in Louth secondary schools which leaves children with nowhere to go.

“Parents have no options and there is no certainty coming from the Department of Education. Not only do we need to see new SE classes opening we need these to be adequately resourced.

“It is vital that teachers are supported by the NCSE and their school leadership to meet the needs of all children. We also need to see therapies reinstated in both primary and post primary schools.”

James Renaghan, People Before Profit rep, said he was “proud to have organised this public demonstration with All Abilities Action Alliance Louth.

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“We have a simple demand, that every child with additional needs in Louth has an appropriate school place in September.

“If this can’t be met, the government has demonstrably failed some of the most marginalised children and families in society. There is the money and resources out there to fulfil this very reasonable demand but it’s not being done.

“Beyond the resourcing issue this campaign reflects on what is a narrow and rigid education system framed around the idealised student and this needs to be challenged too.”