Photo (L-R): Jennifer Doran, Head of Finance, Governance & Research at the NCSE; Professor Emer Ring, Dean of Education at MIC and author of Special Education in an Independent Ireland 1922-2022. Insights from a Journey through the Century, and John Kearney, Chief Executive Officer of the NCSE.
A specially commissioned publication by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and written by Professor Emer Ring, Dean of Education at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) has been published at an event marking the 20th anniversary of the organisation.
Special Education in an Independent Ireland 1922-2022. Insights from a Journey through the Century—which was three years in the making and runs to 300+ pages—is a landmark piece of research because while much has been written on the history of education in Ireland since political independence, the history of special education in its context as part of state policy for education has not received detailed examination until now.
The book, which has a specific focus on more recent decades, is based on published source material, original sources and first-hand accounts of how key individuals perceived the evolution of special education and policy over the first 100 years of the foundation of the State.
Prof. Ring reflected that “in placing a light on many aspects of the development of special education over a century, the book provides insights that allow us to better understand the evolution of the system we have today so that we can realise a future education system where all children can access, participate and benefit from education thereby achieving their full potential”.
She remarked that her aim in exploring the history of the development of special education was not to lecture those in past on how they should have done better but rather to understand the shifting historical contexts that have impacted on the lives of children and families.
“As our education system evolved over the past 100 years, for most of this time the broader education system was perceived as not being relevant for all children. A policy vacuum at the centre of our education system adversely affected children and families for much of the century. This policy vacuum can be traced to a range of ideological, social, cultural, political, economic and educational influences that shaped”.
Our experience over the past 100 years has provided us with a valuable opportunity as a society to reflect and consider our significant achievements together with the myriad of tensions and dilemmas that still exist. We know for example that in spite of our aspirations, parents and advocacy groups continue to be forced to advocate and inequity of opportunity exists in terms of young people’s access to post-school education and/or employment and career opportunities. As we close the door on a century, I hope that this publication will provide us with an opportunity to consider what the experiences from the last century have taught us, and what we can now bring with us into the future on the road we choose to take. The choices we make at this juncture will have implications for decades ahead on the lives of children, families and our record as a socially just society.”
Special Education in an Independent Ireland 1922-2022. Insights from a Journey through the Century is available to read and download here. Hard copies are also available from the NCSE directly.
John Kearney, Chief Executive Officer, NCSE, commented: “This book, commissioned by the NCSE and authored by Emer Ring, is a substantial and significant piece of scholarly work and a welcome contribution to documenting the trajectory of special education in Ireland. I have no doubt that this important volume forms essential reading for those looking towards the future of education in Ireland, and will be of great interest for policymakers, academics, education professionals, students and parents in considering, reflecting and learning from the last 100 years of special education in Ireland.”
Prof. Ring she was “indebted to all those who stories she encountered on the journey, those scholars whose work is referenced throughout and the exceptional generosity of everyone who gave of their time to have in-depth conversations and support throughout the project”.
Specifically, she acknowledged Dr Patrick F. O’Donovan, former senior inspector with the Department of Education and author, Dr Maurice Harmon, Head of Department of Learning Society, and Religious Education at MIC and Dr Lisha O’Sullivan, Head of Department of Reflective Pedagogy and Early Childhood Studies at MIC for their role as learning partners for the project and adopting a much-needed critical lens in sharing their knowledge, experience and expertise across a myriad of dimensions.
She conducted 25 interviews and received two written submissions from parents, education personnel, public servants, policymakers, representative bodies, individuals who were beneficiaries of special education provision, and a solicitor involved in litigation in this area. In addition, the book also includes visual and written representations from students at Midleton CBS Secondary School, which provide a window into their school experience as the century closes.
One of the contributors to the book was Ellen Ryan, a Fourth Year student on the BA in Contemporary and Applied Theatre Studies at MIC. Ellen also completed the Certificate in General Learning and Personal Development (CGLPD) programme at MIC. In the gallery from the event below, she is pictured below with her mother, Prof. Ring and NCSE staff at the launch of the book in Dublin City Hall on 10 September.
Pictured (L-R): Assumpta Crosse-Ryan, Jennifer Doran (NCSE), Prof Emer Ring, Ellen Ryan, Caroline McKeown and John Kearney (NCSE).
