Neglect of children with special needs

The government promised the appointment of 31 additional psychologists in 2007. Characteristically, only seven psychologists have been added to the National Education Psychology Service (NEPS). The service is aimed at children with special needs. An ASTI survey in 2006 found that 89 per cent of schools have students with special needs. Over 42 per cent of Principals stated it took an average of three months or more to secure an appointment with NEPS and 35 per cent of Principals reported a two-month delay. When NEPS was established in 1999, a target of 184 psychologists working within the service was set. This target was supposed to have been met by 2004, when all schools were supposed to have access to NEPS. However the government is still short of this target by more than 50 posts.

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