I propose to take Questions Nos. 4, 91 and 138 together.
I am acutely aware that a dyslexic child if undetected and so uncatered for is in a very disadvantaged position and should be helped within the classroom. The central concern with dyslexia is that all teachers are aware of the signs and can detect them early. I am glad to say that primary teachers are trained as a normal part of their teaching training course to identify dyslexia and indeed a variety of other reading problems.
Remedial teachers have a complete module on dyslexia within their training programme. I believe that primary teachers in general are doing a very good job in detecting the problem early, but if there was to be an awareness week or an awareness day it would surely be best to focus on teachers, particularly those trained before we were all aware of the problem.
I certainly do not accept the suggestion of increased evidence of thousands of undetected children, but I do accept that greater effort is needed, even if there are tens of children going undetected.
I was heartened to find that there are already 945 full-time remedial teachers serving our national schools. Helping the dyslexic child is a central part of their function. However, I accept that even with 945 remedial teachers there are still gaps. Therefore, I have announced there will be 80 additional remedial teachers in our schools by September 1993.
The primary focus in dealing with the problem has to be the teacher, but individual attention from parents for their own child is obviously vital. The best remedial programmes are partnerships between teachers and parents, and I will expect individual teachers, as part of their normal role, to inform parents of the best possible approach in helping their child.
With regard to the question of examinations, my Department makes special arrangements for dyslexic candidates. They include the following: a candidate who is unable to read, or is very slow at reading, may be allowed the service of a person who will read the questions or a candidate who is unable to write, or is very slow at writing, may be allowed to use a tape recorder, a typewriter or a word processor.