Watchdog warning on exam support for children with literacy problems

A watchdog has warned exam chiefs not to repeat the same mistakes when refusing support for children with dyslexia, poor eyesight or literacy problems.

Children’s Ombudsman Niall Muldoon said his office dealt with 132 complaints about the State Examinations Commission’s handling of pleas for help in 2014 and 2015, and another 55 this year.

Issues such as communication, fairness, and oversight were raised in many reports, but the watchdog said the fundamental concern was that exam chiefs did not explain why applications were refused.