Learning Disabilities: A Call for Systemic Change

The article, Tackling learning disabilities head-on by Saravanan Murugeson and Anukrati Nigam, highlights the complex challenge of addressing learning disabilities in India's education system, where an estimated 8-15% of school-going children (50 million) face some form of learning disability. The authors emphasise that learning disabilities extend far beyond simple communication difficulties, affecting how students process, think about, and engage with the world around them.

The piece identifies several critical issues in the current system. Many schools lack the resources and training to properly support students with learning disabilities, and teachers often misunderstand conditions like dyslexia, viewing them as simple reading problems rather than complex cognitive differences. This situation was further exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many teachers struggling to support students with learning disabilities in an online environment.

The authors propose a multi-faceted approach to address these challenges. This includes implementing comprehensive early intervention programs, utilising technology like AI-powered learning aids, and creating better screening tools tailored to India's specific needs. They point to successful models in countries like Finland while acknowledging India's unique challenges due to its size and diversity.

Tackling learning disabilities head-on by Saravanan Murugeson and Anukrati Nigam. In: The Hindu, 29 Oct 2024.

The article concludes with a call for cultural transformation, emphasising that learning disabilities should be viewed not as sources of shame but as different ways of processing information. It stresses the importance of parent education, teacher training, and public awareness campaigns to create an inclusive education system that truly leaves no child behind.

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