Mandatory training in dyslexia must be introduced for student teachers – Lombard

Student teachers must receive mandatory training on dyslexia to support the approximately 100,000 students with dyslexia in primary and secondary schools, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Tim Lombard raised the need for the Minister for Education to make a statement on her plans to introduce mandatory teacher training on dyslexia in the Seanad this week.

Senator Lombard said: “Dyslexia is the most common learning difference within the education system. It affects one in ten children which equates to three students in every classroom, on average.

“These young people have the right to receive an education appropriate to their needs. This is only possible when teachers have been adequately resourced and trained to understand dyslexia in a holistic way and how to best identify and support students.

“Dyslexia is more than difficulties with literacy. It can affect other aspects of learning, such as memory, organisation skills, and processing speed, and it can also negatively impact mental health especially when students are not identified or appropriately supported.

“While over 90% of parents, teachers and students agree that teachers should receive training on dyslexia, teachers have actually reported receiving no or minimal training on dyslexia in their Initial Training Education (ITE). Of those that received training, most felt it was insufficient.

“In response to my contribution in the Seanad, Minister Noonan asserted that dyslexia training ‘is, in effect mandatory’ as part of teacher training. However, I don’t believe that this is correct or indeed adequate as it is contradictory to what I am hearing from the experiences of teachers on the ground.

“I have engaged with members of the dyslexic community, teachers and student teachers who are currently going through their ITE and all disagree that mandatory dyslexia training is included as part of the teacher training education.

“Student teachers who are weeks from completing their training told me that they have not received training on dyslexia as part of their ITE to date.

“I will be writing to the Minister for Education to request a meeting on this issue and to ask her can she ensure mandatory training is introduced from September 2022 for all student teachers via a compulsory module on teacher training courses,” concluded Senator Lombard.