BBC News NI Education and Arts Correspondent Robbie Meredith reported that according to the independent autism reviewer, Ema Cubitt, Northern Ireland’s education system has remained unchanged since the industrial revolution. Cubitt highlighted that many autistic individuals struggle in school, indicating that the environment is not conducive to their learning and safety. Speaking to MLAs, she expressed concerns about a generation of traumatized schoolchildren and emphasized the need for a thorough review of the education system as a whole.
Cubitt’s testimony at a joint meeting of Stormont’s Health and Education committees emphasized the importance of feeling safe in school to facilitate learning. She lamented a “missed opportunity” in not revisiting the education system to accommodate the increasing presence of Special Educational Needs (SEN) students in mainstream schools. As Northern Ireland’s first independent autism reviewer, Cubitt stressed the necessity for consistency in how government departments address the needs of autistic individuals.
The lack of support for autistic youth, both during their time in school and after graduation, was a key concern raised by Cubitt during the committee hearing. She criticized the existing provisions as insufficient and highlighted the glaring gap in assistance for SEN students transitioning out of school. In response to queries from MLAs, Cubitt questioned the readiness of schools to implement a SEN reform agenda outlined by Education Minister Paul Givan, expressing disappointment in its lack of concrete deliverables.
Further delving into the issue, Cubitt challenged the archaic notion of punishment in schools, deeming it outdated and counterproductive to the well-being of students. She stressed the importance of fostering a safe and happy environment for children to learn effectively. The joint meeting of the Committee for Education and the Committee for Health shed light on crucial issues within the education system, albeit facing technical difficulties that prevented live streaming of the session. The Middletown Centre for Autism, receiving funding from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, serves as a vital institution for individuals with autism across the region
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