asked the Minister for Education if he will consider initiating a scheme for the provision of a specially qualified teacher for slow readers in large primary schools; and where small primary schools would not warrant a teacher of their own, if he will provide that they be grouped together in suitable divisions so that guidance can be given to teachers and pupils in these schools to overcome this widespread problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Remedial Teachers.
32.
There are now approximately 220 full-time remedial teachers sanctioned in national schools. Additional posts are sanctioned annually according as the circumstances warrant it.
In centres where schools are too small to warrant the appointment of a remedial teacher in each school and where a need for a special teacher is established, sanction is given for the appointment of one remedial teacher to serve two or more neighbouring schools.
Up to now the annual output at the special courses for remedial teachers in Orwell Road and at Cork Polio was approximately 50 teachers. This year arrangements are being made to have this number increased by the provision of a further course in St. Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra.
Did the Parliamentary Secretary say there were 220 teachers engaged in remedial treatment? In view of the fact that a recent survey indicated that 16 per cent of all primary school-going children are slow readers would the Parliamentary Secretary consider that 220 is an adequate number to cope with this problem? I am aware that plans have been made to provide more teachers but does the Parliamentary Secretary consider that these plans are now adequate to deal with this serious problem?
I should like to point out to the Deputy that the figure of 220 to which I referred related to full-time remedial teachers. It is fair to say that many of the problems to which the Deputy has referred in relation to slow reading can be solved within the context of the normal classroom. The new school curriculum in primary schools allows greater individual attention to students. I should also like to point out that the Minister has recently sanctioned an improvement in the pupil-teacher ratio in the large city primary schools. It is in these schools that the most acute problem is found, and I believe that announcement by the Minister will have a significant effect in dealing with the problem.
I am not entirely happy that everything is being done that should be done. I am sure the Deputy appreciates that the Department, like any other Department, is operating within the context of limited financial resources.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary in a position to give the House some information about the associated problem of dyslexia. Is it true to say that at present courses in this particular problem are given in the training colleges? Would the Parliamentary Secretary indicate what the position is in regard to training teachers who have left training colleges to deal with this problem?
I would not like to make any comment on that matter just now. I am receiving a deputation from the Dyslexia Association of Ireland within the next few weeks. Following that meeting I will be in a better position to indicate what the Department proposes to do in relation to this matter.