Ministers' response to dyslexia report 'disappointing', says campaign group

CoMin amends and rejects majority of committee's recommendations

The response by the Council of Ministers to a report into the Island's dyslexia provision is 'disappointing', according to a campaign group.

Of the twelve recommendations put forward by a Tynwald Select Committee, ministers accepted just two as they are written, amended nine, and rejected one.

Recommendations from the Select Committee of Tynwald on Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia, and Dysgraphia (Petition For Redress) Final Report 2025-26 included; that the Department of Education, Sport and Culture should incorporate a clear definition of ‘dyslexia’ and other learning differences into the Inclusive Education Policy; and report back to Tynwald on progress by December 2026. 

This was amended by the Council of Ministers with the date to report back to Tynwald changed to 'October 2027'.

The rejected recommendation called for 'a centralised workforce of specialist dyslexia teachers', something which the Council of Ministers says 'is not supported by current evidence-based research or best practice'.

In her foreword to the response, Education Minister Daphne Caine says: "The Committee’s work has provided an important opportunity to reflect on current practice and to consider how provision can continue to evolve to best meet learners’ needs."

On the amendments to the recommendations, Minister Caine adds: "Whilst it may look like the Department is amending a number of the recommendations, in some cases the amendment is a date change, rather than a substantial change in the wording.

"In other areas, the Department proposes amendments to ensure that recommendations are grounded in research evidence, are deliverable within realistic timescales, and are aligned with existing frameworks, workforce capacity and available resources. One of recommendations is not accepted, where the Department considers that alternative approaches are more effective, equitable and sustainable in supporting learners across the whole education system."

The committee was formed following a Tynwald petition, and its final report followed 18 months of evidence gathering involving families, educators, professionals, and government representatives.

Julia Bell, Peter Washington and Chrissie Watson of the Dyslexia Advocacy Group IOM fears those efforts may be lost if members accept CoMin's response:

The Dyslexia Advocacy Group IOM is encouraging members of the public to read both the committee's report and CoMin's response and 'engage constructively with their elected representatives ahead of the debate'.

The Minister for the Department of Education, Sport and Culture has declined to comment ahead of this month's Tynwald sitting so as not to prejudice or undermine the debate.

You can listen to the full interview with Dyslexia Advocacy Group members Julia Bell, Peter Washington and Chrissie Watson via the Manx Radio Newscast below: