The research, based on the views of almost 1,500 classroom assistants, was presented to MLAs at Stormont today by Ulster University and the Centre for Effective Services.
It found that the number of classroom assistants employed across all sectors of education has increased dramatically in the past few years — by almost two-thirds since 2018 — meaning around 22,800 were employed by the Education Authority in 2023-24
But concerns were raised that schools were appointing unqualified classroom assistants, especially because of “increasing demand for SEN [special educational needs] support”.
“The lack of any distinction in rates of pay, regardless of experience or qualifications, was viewed as demeaning, demoralising and unfair,” the report added, as it called for an urgent reform and recognition for what it described as “a pivotal workforce” in education.
The research found that challenges and gaps related to recruitment, deployment, pay and professional development.
It said that despite the growing number of classroom assistants, their position in the SEN landscape has…
