5 February 2026
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA has questioned the failure to record information on the number of children with special educational needs (SEN) who are placed on reduced school timetables.
She raised the issue at the Education Committee this week during evidence from Department of Education officials, who confirmed that no data is currently recorded on the matter.
East Derry MLA Cara Hunter said:
“My office regularly supports children with SEN and their families as they try to navigate an education system that too often fails to meet their needs. From school transport to support in the classroom, many families feel their children are being failed and denied the opportunity to reach their full potential.
“I was deeply concerned to learn at committee this week that there is no data recorded on the number of children with SEN who are on reduced timetables. This is a serious issue. I am aware of one child supported by my office who is currently only attending school for half an hour a day.
“If we are not properly recording and analysing this information, it is impossible to understand the scale of the problem or to put the right support in place. This points to a wider failure in how SEN is being managed across our education system, and a lack of basic data to inform decision-making.
“I will be raising this directly with the Education Minister and pressing for clear data collection and retention processes to be put in place, so that we can properly support children with SEN and ensure they receive the education they are entitled to.”