Posts and Special Education
Special education posts are allocated to a school to cater specifically for pupils with special needs. These posts are generally ex-quota. They include the following;- posts granted under the General Allocation System;
- posts granted to provide support for children with low incidence disabilities;
- home/school co-ordinator posts;
- support teacher posts;
- special class teachers, e.g. posts sanctioned specifically for pupils with special needs;
- Early Start posts;
The allocation of special education positions to post-holders is outlined in Circular 07/03.
Principal Teacher and Special Education Posts
In light of the widely acknowledged pivotal role of a principal teacher in the overall management of a school, a principal shall not undertake the duties of any type of a special education post.
Deputy Principal/Vice Principal
A deputy principal/vice principal shall not be assigned any type of a shared special education post. However, s/he may temporarily relinquish his/her post of responsibility allowance, should s/he wish to be assigned to a special education post shared between schools.
Furthermore, in allocating non shared special education posts, boards are reminded that a deputy principal/vice principal may be required to act for a principal thus possibly lessening tuition time with special needs pupils. Accordingly, the Department of Education and Science strongly advises a board of management to take account of this fact when assigning teachers to special education posts.
The appointment of a deputy principal/vice-principal to a special education post, which consequently erodes tuition time, may result in the Department insisting on the re-allocation of a special education post.
Assistant Principal/Grade A, Special Duties Teacher/Grade B
An assistant principal/grade A post holder and special duties teacher/grade B post holder may be assigned any category of a special education post whether shared or otherwise. However, before making such appointments, a board of management must be satisfied that, in addition to undertaking the special education post, the post of responsibility duties can be competently and efficiently discharged.
Relinquishing the Post of Responsibility Allowance
A teacher appointed to a special education post who holds a post of responsibility and whose board of management determines that the post of responsibility duties cannot be adequately or competently discharged while holding the special education post, shall relinquish his/her post of responsibility allowance. The allowance may be relinquished for the period in which the teacher holds the special education post but must extend for a minimum period of one school year. An acting post holder may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Circular 07/03.
Last updated: July 2011