Union registers dispute over shortage of learning support educators
Absence of LSEs is a breach of agreements, UPE tells government
Schools are starting the new scholastic year with a 'massive' shortage of learning support educators, despite government commitments made in two sectoral agreements, the Union of Professional Educators said on Monday.
It said that 'countless' classes, which qualify for this crucial support based on their size, are starting the school year without LSEs.
"Larger classes without adequate support see a decline in individual attention, hindering the learning experience for all students and creating a more challenging environment for those who need extra help," it said.
Furthermore, it said teachers were left to manage overcrowded classrooms without the necessary support, leading to increased burnout, stress, and an unsustainable workload.
The failure also undermined the quality of inclusive education that the government itself had pledged to provide.
The UPE explained that the entitlement to a Class LSE was not dependent solely on the presence of a student with a 'Statement of Needs' but class size.
The union said it had registered a dispute with the Ministry of Education and may issue directives to its members if the issue is not addressed.
The PN called for the employment of more LSEs in July, insisting that inclusive education must remain a national priority, because every student has the right to appropriate support.