61% say schools not inclusive

BY ROBBIE SMYTH

A survey of Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) members has found that 61% of teachers believe that their schools are not inclusive.

INTO Deputy General Secretary Catherine Byrne says the union has identified class size and lack of resources as barriers to promoting the inclusive school. Another problem was the lack of resources for children with special needs.

Byrne said: "Primary teachers are often criticised for producing a shopping list to accompany every change. As a representative of teachers working with the largest class sizes in Europe, coupled with the lowest per capita investment, I make no apologies for demanding increased resources."