Report published on Parent’s Issues with the Education of their Children

In This Section

Parent’s Issues with the Education of their Children at Primary & Post Primary Stages in 2024.

Earlier in 2024, we initiated a research project to identify parent’s issues with the education of their children at primary & post primary stages. To establish a more complete picture of the situation nationally, parents of children aged from 5 to 18 years at any stage in any setting at primary or post primary, were invited to participate in a survey to express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their children’s educational experience; and to identify areas for improvement. 246 parents participated in this project with the following issues highlighted for improvement:

  • Access to Assessment & Therapies
  • More Social Inclusion & Friendship Development Opportunities in School
  • Better Teacher Attitude Knowledge & Training
  • Better Understanding of Behaviour Management by Teachers
  • Better Differentiation of Work in Class
  • Improved Home School Communication
  • Higher Levels of SNA Support
  • Improved Approaches to Home School Inclusion
  • Needs of children with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome & Autism must be properly addressed.
  • Every mainstream school should have a Special Educational Need (SEN) class.
  • Special schools intake is too limited by the ‘mild’ or ‘moderate’ criteria.
  • Post Primary education need to be extended beyond 18 years for some students with Down syndrome.
  • Increased opportunities for work experience to be provided throughout Senior Cycle.
  • The involvement of parents in planning must be improved.
  • Teacher shortages must be addressed.
  • All teachers and school personnel should be trained in Lámh signing.
  • Too much responsibility is given to SNAs by Class Teachers

In addition to presenting the analysis of findings at the Down Syndrome Education International Research Conference in April, a report has been prepared and shared with the Department of Education, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and the Oireachtas Committees on Education & Progressing Disabilities.

The full report can be accessed here.