Wallace welcomes funding boost for special schools
Four Westmeath special schools are to benefit from new strategic investment.
The investment, which was introduced in this year's budget, will fund the creation of new administrative deputy principal positions at St Mary's, Delvin; St Hilda's, Athlone; St Brigid's, Mullingar; and Saplings Special School, Mullingar, as well as additional post primary teaching hours.
The news has been welcomed by Cllr Emily Wallace, who says that the investment will greatly benefit all four schools.
"This year's budget brings with it a strategic investment that includes new administrative deputy principal positions across our special schools here in Westmeath. The addition of these roles is vital for supporting our principals in enhancing student learning experiences and increasing engagement with the community and parents.
"Furthermore, recognising that over half of the students in special schools are teenagers, resources have been tailored to enhance their learning environments. With the allocation of 100 new teaching posts across the country, which will be translated into a bank of post-primary teaching hours for special schools in Westmeath, our schools can now offer a wider curriculum. These hours will be distributed based on the number of students aged 13 and over, allowing for a more personalised and effective educational approach.
“This allocation will enable our schools in Westmeath to deliver comprehensive national curriculum subjects at both junior and senior cycles, which are specifically designed to build on individual strengths, fostering progression and smooth transitions for students.
"This targeted investment underscores our commitment to an inclusive educational system, where every student is provided with the opportunities to reach their full potential. Special schools in Westmeath stand to gain immensely from these resources, securing a future where all students have access to the quality education they deserve.
“Importantly, existing allocations will be maintained, ensuring that our ongoing projects continue without disruption. This approach not only underscores our commitment to fairness but also ensures an equitable distribution of resources across all special schools in Westmeath,” Cllr Wallace concluded.