Awareness regarding dyslexia among primary school teachers: A study in the context of social work

Dyslexia is a condition that is covered under the specific learning disabilities (SLD) in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 (RPwD Act, 2016). Dyslexia is characterised by inaccurate reading, poor spelling and slow reading.

The objective of the study was to ascertain the awareness regarding various aspects of dyslexia among primary school teachers employed in Government schools in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.

A descriptive research design was used for the present study. Respondents were selected by multistage sampling technique. A total of 128 primary school teachers from government schools in HP and Punjab were included in the study by using simple random sampling. The structured interview schedule was used as a tool for the study. The tool was also converted into an online survey form using Google Forms. Collected data was then entered in MS Excel and univariate analysis was done.

The study found that 89.84% of respondents have heard about the term ‘SLD’ and 91.40% of respondents have heard about the term ‘dyslexia’. The study also found that only 11.97% of the respondents were aware about the RPwD Act 2016, the legislation in which SLD is covered. The major source of the information of the respondents regarding dyslexia was mass media (42.59%) which also included movies like ‘Taare Zameen Par’. Respondents considered genetic factors, environmental factors, brain injury as causes of dyslexia. Few teachers also believed that it was a communicable disease. Awareness about all the ‘warning signs of dyslexia’ and ’signs and symptoms of dyslexia’ was reported by 72.65% and 71.79% of the respondents, respectively. 86.32% of the respondents stated that they can identify a child with this condition and according to 35.90% of the respondents, at least one child with this condition was present in their school. 78.63% of the respondents could identify the various strategies associated with the management of this condition. The study also found that 64.71% of respondents were aware of the full form of ‘UDID’. Based on these findings the study makes an attempt to highlight ways in which a social worker can create awareness regarding this condition and play a pivotal role in the holistic development of these children. This will also ensure the fulfilment of the objectives of National Education Policy 2020.