Fresh concerns over cuts to education supports for deaf/hoh pupils in the UK have emerged, after one-third of councils cut supports in 2011. NDCS is also reporting that almost one-half of London’s local councils did not respond to a Freedom of Information request to disclose spending plans by April 2, 2013.
Read: Charity’s fears over cuts in help for deaf children
Greater transparency for UK-based councils to disclose spending plans for education supports for deaf/hh pupils, is what led NDCS to instigate its FoI request. In January 2013, reports indicated that the number of deaf children achieving five good GCSE exam grades, was at its lowest since 2007.
Read: GCSEs – Big council cuts hit deaf pupils’ grades
The UK has over 45,000 students with hearing issues, 37% of whom pass the GCSE benchmark (versus 69% of their hearing peers). Under 40% of deaf/hh pupils get five good GCSE grades, with 62% failing to get five GCSE grades A* to C (versus 30% of hearing peers), according to NDCS.
SEN Magazine (Jan/13): Are deaf children being ignored?
Like Ireland, the UK has a visiting teacher (of the deaf) service, but these teachers’ huge caseloads impacts their efficiency. In 2011, NDCS found one in three councils in the UK had cut services for teachers of the deaf and speech/language therapists, and is seeking to establish provisions for 2013.
Wirral schoolgirl urges readers to back fight against cuts
There’s a direct correlation in the supports a deaf/hoh child receives (from birth, upward) and their post-school outcomes. Earlier intervention saves public funds in future years, and should be a no-brainer for governments.
More Reading
- ”What It Feels Like … to have a deaf child” (Oliver Dennis)
- “Being Born Deaf Is No Barrier” – One Mum’s View
- Two “Talented Boys”, Living Life To The Full
- EastEnders’ Rita Simons criticised for choosing an implant
- BBC Programme On Parent Choices For Children
- Deaf Children In The UK Face Teaching Cuts
- NDCS Moves Education Statistics To Centre Stage
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