A Co Down mum says her young son is missing his first days at a new primary school due to a transport issue with the Education Authority.
12-year-old Tyler Shields from Ardglass, who has Special Educational Needs, was excited for his first day at his new school earlier this month.
But with no transport secured, a private taxi organised through the Education Authority (EA), it was left to his mum, Jamie Lee Shields, to drive him to and from school for his first few days.
Read more: Co Down mum 'frustrated' as transport issues force her son to miss four days of school
According to Jamie Lee, Tyler was left behind last year in Knockevin Special School's Downpatrick site while his whole class was moved on to the school's senior site at Castlewellan.
He finally got a place in Castlewellan in June of last year to start this year but no school transport was before he started there on September 1st.
It came as a further blow to Jamie-Lee, who is grieving the loss of her husband, who died tragically earlier this year, leaving behind his wife and six children.
Jamie-Lee, 36, transported Tyler for his first two days but he hasn't been back since until transport is finalised.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Jamie-Lee said: "Tyler has severe learning difficulties and ADHD. He was left behind last year in Knockevein's Downpatrick site while his whole class was moved on with no explanation.
"He lost his father to suicide in February so he needed that extra support from his friends but he had to start back with a new teacher and pupils.
"To him that felt like a punishment and he started lashing out at his new teachers and at me. I finally got him a place at the Castlewellan Knockevein site in June last year to start this year."
Jamie-Lee added: "I took Tyler to school for his first two days of term as no one came to transport him. I had assumed it was all arranged by the EA once his place at Castlewellan was confirmed.
"It's a half an hour journey each way and I can't keep doing that because I have four other kids at school. But now he’s been left sitting in his school uniform and crying on the sofa every day with no transport.
"To him it feels like he’s been left out and punished all over again. As a family we're still grieving too so it's just not good enough and should all have been sorted out long before now."
A spokesperson for the Education Authority (EA) said: “We can confirm that transport will be in place for this pupil from Monday 12 September. We apologise for the inconvenience and upset caused to the family.
“If parents have any queries relating to home to school transport they can contact our helpline from Monday – Friday between 9.30am – 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 4.30pm, please call 028 95 98 59 59.”
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