It is a shame that the Minister of Education did not agree to take up our offer of making Conductive Education part of the state system for educating children with cerebral palsy particularly as the Minister knows that at June last 8,971 pupils were at stage 3 of the 5 Stage Code of Practice waiting to be assessed by a Board Psychologist- an increase from the previous year of 8,783.

In 1993 the Community responded to the needs of children with cerebral palsy when Buddy bear brought Conductive Education from the Peto Institute to Northern Ireland. The UK is embracing Conductive Education.  Wolverhampton University and the Birmingham Foundation provide Honours Degree courses for teachers in Conductive Education but our Education system seems to be trying to close the only recognised and inspected Conductive Education School.  When did the Department provide funds for teachers to receive a diploma in Special Education?

The Buddy Bear School needs sponsorship to remain open until the parents meet First Ministers, Mr Peter Robinson and Mr Martin McGuinness.

Who can stand by and allow a child to be trapped by their own body when they can be helped with Conductive Education?

The community opened the Buddy Bear School in 1993. We are asking the community for help again".

Children with Special Needs: Public Meeting 2 Oct 2008 at 8.00pm

Parents of children with special needs particularly cerebral palsy, members of the  Community, Clubs, Friends, Politicians, Councillors and Church Representatives are invited to attend to public meeting in the Bank House Hotel, Irish Street Dungannon on  Thursday 2nd October at 8.0pm to establish a Support Group.

Please contact the school for additional information.  Donations may be made to the Buddy Bear Trust at Ulster Bank Dungannon

Brendan McConville

Chairman                        07867786804