NDP Education Critic Lorraine Michael (MHA, St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi) says that while it’s heartbreaking to hear about repeated problems with the current classroom inclusion program, she hopes recent media stories will combine with presentations to the Premier’s Task Force on Education Outcomes to force government to pay attention and deal with the problem.
“I hear almost on a daily basis from parents and advocates about the children who are falling through the gaps of the inclusion program,” Michael said today.
“Everybody supports the goal of including all children in classrooms. Everybody recognizes that the resources and supports that would make inclusion successful are simply not in place.
“Government has to wake up, admit the problem will not go away, and make inclusion work for everybody.”
Michael plans to present to the Premier’s Task Force herself, and encourages everybody who can to do the same.
“If enough of us speak out together, the Department of Education will be forced to listen to teachers, families, and other advocates, and we will get some real action on inclusion,” she said.
“Too many children are being betrayed by the system that should be working for them.”