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Many parents in
Donegal North East are "deeply unhappy" with the
current education system, Fine Gael election
candidate Senator Joe McHugh has said.
He said they fear large class sizes are denying
their children the "best possible start in life".
"With regard to class size, we have one of the worst
ratios in Europe. And this does have a major effect
on the quality of education a child receives," said
Senator McHugh.
"It doesn't need a rocket scientist to tell us that
the smaller the class, the more attention the
teacher can give the individual pupil.
"That early intervention by a teacher can determine
just how well a child will do as he or she
progresses through the education system."
Senator McHugh said parents around the constituency
were also concerned about the lack of resources for
children with Dyslexia, ADHD and other learning
difficulties. He said while these were "complex
issues", every child had the right, under the 1988
Education Act, to receive a proper education.
"I have had many parents speaking openly to me on
the doorstep about their concerns for their
children. It is not generally known but up to 25 per
of children can be affected by conditions such as
Dyslexia, Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD etc. The days
of the education authorities panning people off with
vague promises are long gone.
"Early intervention by teachers to address these
issues can make a massive difference to a child's
ability to achieve his or her full potential."
Senator McHugh, a former teacher, said if elected
this issue would be one of his main priorities.
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