The Government will be setting up a national resource centre for dyslexia to help the 1,500 students who have the condition.
A unit which provides services for dyslexic children already exists, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo told The Sunday Times of Malta yesterday; however, this Special Learning Difficulties Centre only has 18 specialised people.
“The need was felt for a national resource centre for dyslexia which would encapsulate more teachers specialised in the necessary skills.”
Addressing a press conference yesterday to mark the first 100 days of the new Government, Mr Bartolo outlined the projects and initiatives which have been undertaken.
He mentioned the access arrangements made for children with learning difficulties during the exercise of benchmarking, which is intended to determine the achievement of each learner in different skill areas of English, Maltese and mathematics. Ten per cent of Year 6 students sitting for benchmarks assessment have learning difficulties, the most common of which are dyslexia and autism.
“Before, children who were accompanied by Learning Support Assistants throughout their school year were being left to fend for themselves.
“This is comparable to wearing spectacles throughout the year and then having them removed for the assessment.
“So far, 300 pupils have benefited from this arrangement.”
According to Grace Grima, the director general for quality and standards directorate, two changes have been introduced.
“Children who have a reading age of less than eight years are now benefiting from ‘reading with understanding’”, Prof. Grima told The Sunday Times of Malta.
She also added that a small number of students benefit from scribe services.
Mr Bartolo said the Government was planning to invest €15 million in the maintenance of State schools.
The budget allocated for postgraduate scholarships increased to €2 million from €1.3 million and the eligibility criteria are now more inclusive – Master’s applicants will not necessarily need a degree to qualify.
This resulted in a 77 per cent increase in applications over last year. In all, 1,070 applications were filed.