Focus on children with learning disabilities

K.Devarajan, Director of Matriculation Schools, addressing the matriculation school principals of five districts on the topic 'learning disaibilities among students' in Madurai on Wednesday. Photo: K.Ganesan.

Children with learning difficulties and dyslexia in all matriculation schools in the State will be given special attention through remedial measures, K. Devarajan, Director of Matriculation Schools, has said.

By conducting ‘Learning Disabilities Awareness Programmes,' school teachers in various districts are being trained in how to address the problems faced by children with learning disabilities, dyslexia and autism, he informed.

An awareness programme was organised here on Wednesday for the principals of matriculation schools of five districts- Madurai, Sivaganga, Dindigul, Theni and Karur- under the auspices of Directorate of Matriculation Schools.

“This awareness programme is a direct channel of communication between the Directorate and schools. We want both the teachers and parents to first understand the learning difficulties faced by children and give special attention to their problems,” Mr. Devarajan told the principals.

A confidential questionnaire was circulated to principals to get feedback on their awareness about learning difficulty/dyslexia.

The Director said that resource persons were drawn to conduct awareness sessions for teachers/principals at various places.

“We organised an awareness meeting on this issue at Coimbatore last week. We are ready to give special training for at least one teacher from each matriculation school so that they can effectively deal with children having learning difficulties,” Mr. Devarajan said.

He said that power point presentations to create awareness among the principals were also being organised and one such session was conducted in Madurai by Nathan, a senior level resource person from the Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, who is well known in the field of neuropsychology.

R. Pitchai, Joint Director of Matriculation Schools; G. Krishnasamy, Inspector of Matriculation Schools in-charge, Madurai; R. Srinivasan, Director, TVS Group of Schools; and S. Premalatha, Senior Principal, Mahatma Montessori Matriculation Higher Secondary School, were among those who attended the inaugural session.

TVS Matriculation Higher Secondary School Principal Uma Ramesh welcomed the gathering.