Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies is supporting a campaign to improve the life chances of deaf children and young people in Pembrokeshire.
Research shows that deaf pupils are 30% less likely to achieve 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C than their hearing peers. Now the National Deaf Children’s Society and Welsh AMs are calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to take action to close the gap.
“I find these new statistics really disappointing, too many deaf children are not reaching the same grades as their hearing peers,” said Mr Davies.
“Deafness is not a learning disability and there is no reason why deaf children should not achieve the same as their hearing peers – as long as they are given the right support.
“It is essential that we act now to ensure that deaf children and young people throughout Wales are given the best support and learning environment, enabling them to reach their full potential.”
Mr Davies has now signed a Statement of Opinion calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to take action to close the gap in attainment between deaf children and their hearing peers.
The data from 2008 revealed that deaf children and young people are underachieving at every key stage in their education:
NDCS Cymru recognises that much hard work is being done to support deaf children and young people in their studies. However, the charity has identified a number of barriers which are preventing many deaf children and young people from reaching their full potential. These barriers include:
- Poor acoustics in schools
- Post code lottery in service provision
- Lack of deaf awareness
