Dr Paul Downes, director of the Educational Disadvantage Centre in St Patrick's College of Education, Drumcondra, Dublin, conducted his research in a number of disadvantaged schools. He found that some students were coming to school hungry, and some were suffering from emotional and sleep problems. 

Dr Downes reports that: 

• Many pupils said they had no one to talk to about problems ranging from substance abuse to bereavement, sexual abuse, or divorce of parents;
• A quarter of first years in post-primary schools said they were not treated fairly by teachers;
• Owing money for drugs was a matter of concern to some young people;
• There was an explicit link between drugs debt and suicide. 

Speaking at a conference organised by SIPTU and the ASTI, Dr Downes said the focus in schools was all too often on misbehaviour by students, rather than the students' experiences. 

He criticised some aspects of the National Behaviour Support Service (NBSS), which was set up three years ago and operates in 62 schools. He said the focus in behaviour-support classrooms was on avoiding negative behaviour, while conflict resolution was neglected. 

"A potentially vital service to engage potential early school leavers is narrowed to a focus on their behaviour," he said.  

Dr Downes also called for a mental health strategy for pupils at risk. (Source: Irish Independent)