The Education Authority in Northern Ireland today wrote to school principals threatening to compel schools to create provision for 164 children without places if they did not agree to do so by the end of the week. 

But NAHT NI has expressed deep concern at the suggestion that schools are failing in their duty by not immediately offering places. 

Dr Graham Gault, national Secretary of NAHT NI, said: “We have heard directly from school leaders across Northern Ireland who have said ‘no’, not from unwillingness, but from real and urgent concerns. 

“These include concerns over their ability to ensure pupil and staff safety, deliver full access to the curriculum, and a lack of adequate training and resources to support children’s additional needs effectively. 

“Our school leaders care deeply about meeting the needs of every child. They are fully committed to the inclusion of children with special educational needs and do not take lightly the challenge our system is now facing.” 

NAHT NI has also taken strong exception to the implied criticism of schools in the Education Authority’s recent communication. 

“Let us be clear: this is not a failure of schools,” added Dr Gault. “This is a failure of government and system leadership. 

“What we are witnessing is the entirely predictable result of a decade of chronic underfunding and the failure to adequately plan for the rising demand in special educational needs provision.  

“It is simply unacceptable to now attempt to shift both the burden and the blame onto schools that are already operating beyond capacity.” 

The union called for immediate and meaningful collaboration between the Department of Education, the Education Authority and school leaders, grounded in realistic timeframes, adequate investment and professional respect. 

“We share the goal of ensuring every child has access to a high-quality education that meets their needs,” said Dr Gault. 

“We continue to encourage members to engage constructively with the employing authorities to explore what may be possible to safely and effectively meet those needs. 

“But system failure cannot be resolved through coercion or blame. It must be tackled through honest dialogue, strategic investment and genuine partnership.”