Parents and teachers blast MP over dyslexia debate

Graham Stringer doesn't know what he's talking about. I hope he never comes into my school and I think that every other head would echo that sentiment

Dr Anthony Seldon, master of Wellington College, Berkshire

In December 2008, Ed Balls announced a £38 million package of spending to help children with special education needs. Yesterday a Labour backbencher, Graham Stringer, announced in his blog that dyslexia is a ‘fictional malady’ invented to disguise poor teaching.

Mr Stringer bases his argument accordingly: “If dyslexia really existed then countries as diverse as Nicaragua and South Korea would not have been able to achieve literacy rates of nearly 100 per cent. There can be no rational reason why this 'brain disorder' is of epidemic proportions in Britain but does not appear in South Korea or Nicaragua.” 

We asked parents, people with dyslexia and teachers for their response to Mr Stringer’s controversial remarks. 

Dyslexia Action says...

"Once again dyslexia seems to be making the headlines for all the wrong reasons. It is frustrating that the focus should be on whether dyslexia exists or not, when there is so much evidence to support that it does.”

Shirley Cramer, CBE, Chief Executive Officer of Dyslexia Action

Parents say...

“This man clearly doesn’t know what he is talking about. It is a very old fashioned and negative approach to a serious problem for many people. He would have been the type of teacher that would have called his pupils 'lazy' in their end of term reports and done nothing to help in his blinkered 'sort yourself out' attitude.

“He quite clearly has not experienced first hand a child's frustration with themselves when they struggle to do the basics – its really hard for child and parent. From a parent’s point of view, you know and can see your child has the ability but is held back in all manner of ways – from self confidence and belief, not achieving results at school and peer response. Only when the school and Dyslexia Action have become involved has my child grown into the person I know she can be – and I’m glad I don't have someone like him as my MP."

Debbie, mum to a teenager who has mild dyslexia

"I think this man will have raised doubts in people's minds by the comparison he has made. Now charities such as Dyslexia Action will have to work harder to overcome prejudice in people's minds rather than focusing on helping children who have this learning need."

Gary B, dad to two girls and one boy, who has dyslexia

Headteachers say...

"Graham Stringer's remarks about dyslexia are unhelpful and it's difficult to know where his information has come from. The scientific evidence for the existence of dyslexia as a neurological condition is very compelling and researchers are building on that knowledge all the time. 

"I am surprised to read that Mr Stringer believes that a diagnosis of dyslexia is used to mask poor standards of literacy among UK schoolchildren and, by inference, poor teaching. Everyone must be committed to achieving the highest standards in the fundamental skill of literacy and many independent schools make excellent provision for learning support."

Vicky Tuck, headteacher of Cheltenham Ladies' College

“Mr Stringer's comments are a dog's breakfast of cherry-picked statistics, illogical extrapolation and unfortunate misconception. I agree with him that current levels of illiteracy are a national tragedy, but recognising dyslexia and helping those affected to overcome their difficulties should be vital parts of any strategy aimed at improving the situation. To have attracted such attention from the wilderness of the back benches is quite an achievement but Mr Stringer has added nothing to the education debate and succeeded merely in highlighting his own ignorance."

Tim Waters, headmaster, Trinity School, Teignmouth, Devon

The goverment says

“We understand the distress and frustration that many parents of a dyslexic child feel so keenly. Often they have endured years of struggle trying to get extra help to overcome their child's difficulties with reading and writing. That is why the Government is working with a number of dyslexia organisations to identify and promote best practice in identifying and supporting children with dyslexia.

Catherine McCann, spokesperson for the Department of Children, Schools and Families. The department wouldn’t make a comment specificially on Mr Stringer’s remarks.

Have your say

What are your views of Mr Stringer's remarks and those posted above? Leave your comments below