22 April 2026
SDLP Opposition Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA has said the Education Minister must listen to the sector and halt special educational needs (SEN) reforms.
She was speaking after the Children’s Law Centre warned about the negative impact of the proposed changes.
An open letter to the Minister was supported by 14 organisations, including teaching unions.
East Derry MLA Cara Hunter said:
“From the day these reforms were announced schools, staff and parents have warned that the Minister’s proposed reforms to support young people with SEN in schools were unworkable and he has ploughed on regardless. Today’s intervention from the Children’s Law Centre is welcome and underlines the negative impact these changes would have.
“Last month the SDLP brought forward an Opposition Day motion highlighting the need for the Minister to acknowledge the role that classroom assistants play in supporting children with SEN and how the proposed reforms would put further pressure on schools and staff already at breaking point. He hasn’t listened.
“We are seeing the Education Minister move forward quickly with sweeping reforms to our education system with little opportunity for scrutiny by the Assembly or accountability from other Executive parties. The Minister must listen to the experts and halt these changes before it begins to cause serious issues in our schools and for our SEN young people and their families.”