Arabic version: نقابة المعلمين تسلط الضوء على نقص الموظفين لإصلاحات التعليم الخاص

England’s largest teaching union has raised concerns about the lack of staff necessary to implement the government’s reforms for supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in mainstream schools. According to BBC News, Daniel Kebede, the general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), emphasized that teachers feel inclusion cannot be achieved without adequate resources.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated that the government is “investing more” to assist young people in need. In February, significant reforms to the SEND system were announced, which include the introduction of “inclusion bases” in all schools. The Department for Education (DfE) described these changes as “once-in-a-generation SEND reforms to put inclusion at the heart of education.”

The government has committed an additional £4 billion from now until 2029 to prepare schools for these changes, with £1.6 billion allocated to early years, schools, and colleges over the next three years as part of an “inclusion fund.” Despite this funding, the NEU argues it is insufficient, estimating it will provide only a part-time teaching assistant for primary schools and two for secondary schools.

A survey conducted by the NEU ahead of its annual conference revealed that 86% of teachers identified insufficient staffing as a barrier to inclusion. Teachers also expressed concerns regarding class sizes, training, and the challenges of obtaining specialized support for identifying children’s needs. The proposed reforms include developing Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for every child with SEND, aiming to increase their inclusion in mainstream schools.

Kebede noted that while there is a consensus on the need for more inclusive education, the current funding and staffing levels make it challenging to meet these goals. The NEU is also consulting its members about potential industrial action over pay, as discussions on teachers’ salaries continue. The impact of the SEND reforms is expected to be a significant topic at the NEU conference, with political implications as well, including a speech from Green Party leader Zack Polanski.