Fewer pupils use special educational resources

Special educational resources are free resources that help pupils, students and students with disabilities to attend classes in an ordinary school. It often concerns technical equipment such as magnifying glasses with a board camera or ergonomic furniture. Software, a braille display and customized keyboards are also possible. Pupils with a hearing impairment can in turn rely on writing interpreters or Flemish Sign Language interpreters.

Usage decreases, budget increases

Figures requested by Loes Vandromme now show that the number of pupils receiving support through technical aids and ergonomic furniture has fallen by 14% in four years (from 461 to 397 pupils). Interpreting support for students also fell by 11% in that period. The budget that is allocated annually for these special aids is increasing. In 2018, a good 2.5 million euros was still provided, in 2022 just over 2.8 million euros was spent. That is an increase of 13%.

The West Flemish figures also follow the Flemish trend. In the 2018-2019 school year, 134 West Flemish students still used these support resources. Last school year there were only 100 students.

“Searching for Causes”

“It remains a strange fact that fewer students make use of this form of support year after year,” says the member of parliament. “We have to look for the causes of this. These learning resources can really make a difference for pupils who would experience too many barriers in mainstream education. Such tools are also an important step towards inclusive education,” concludes Vandromme.