Building partnerships

The Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) Service of the Department for Curriculum Management recently hosted a distinguished personality in the field of dyslexia, Alan Sayles, who is currently the president of the European Dyslexia Association (EDA).

Mr Sayles was invited to address educators representing state, Church and private educational institutions, as well as from post-secondary and tertiary educational establishments, during a seminar organised by SpLD entitled "Building Partnerships", in which he gave the issue of dyslexia a European dimension.

The walls of the main hall of the National Curriculum Centre in Hamrun were bursting at the seams as Curriculum Management director Raymond Camilleri delivered his opening speech, in which he praised all those present since through their active participation they were putting into practice the title of the seminar.

In his address, Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea commended the SpLD for realising such a partnership as a result of the seminar. The Minister stressed the importance of networking and collaboration among schools to create a healthy environment in which schools share positive experiences and exchange good practices.

The seminar played an important role in developing greater awareness of dyslexia and providing educators with some food for thought vis-à-vis the day-to-day arrangements a dyslexic child requires to access the curriculum, the latter being one of the major concerns of the SpLD Service.

In her presentation, SpLD Service co-ordinator Christine Firman first focused on the role of the SpLD Service, and then illustrated by means of video clips some of the techniques used in the SpLD Service, which are considered to be crucial for the dyslexic individual.

Ms Firman stressed that such adaptations for literacy development are vital before beginning to consider applications for special arrangements for exams. She also emphasised the importance of involving parents in supporting dyslexic children.

Mr Sayles then gave a brief outline of the purpose of the European Dyslexia Association. He also gave a concise yet insightful overview of dyslexia, while calling on teachers to adapt their teaching styles to the learning styles of their students.

During his second presentation, Mr Sayles spoke about the dire need of developing a national policy on dyslexia to support dyslexic individuals perform effectively within a society that is placing ever-increasing demands on what it means to be literate.

Two mothers of dyslexic children also gave their contribution during the seminar, highlighting their individual experiences ever since they found out that their children are dyslexic.

Significantly, however, both unanimously agreed on the importance of building a positive partnership and creating a strong bond with the schools their children attend to ensure that they do not fall by the wayside in our competitive educational system.

The event was co-sponsored by the European Dyslexia Association, the Malta Dyslexia Association and the SpLD Service (Curriculum Management).