Special schools could face high fines for including non-handicapped children
in programmes
The Czech School Inspection has found that a high number of children from
socially-challenged environments unnecessarily attend special schools in the
Czech Republic. The schools largely educate mildly mentally-handicapped
children, or children with developmental disabilities.
The Inspection began its investigation into special schools last autumn at
the behest of the Education Ministry. So far, it has found that 110 children
– more than a quarter of them Romany – attended special schools without due
reason. An additional 173 cases are being looked into.
The deputy head of the Czech School Inspection, Libor Vacek, suggested
earlier that poor diagnostics were part of the problem, sometimes ranking
children from poor backgrounds among those with mild disabilities. But 34
special schools which received state funding could see high fines and face
possible closure if it is found they purposely abused the system to fill
classrooms. The Inspection is expected to conclude its review of special
schools in May.
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