‘Teachers didn’t teach me right’: boy with dyslexia among dozens who back Manitoba literacy screening bill

A 10-year-old boy made an unusual appearance at a legislative committee on Wednesday night because, as he put it, “all teachers need know how to teach dyslexia kids.”

Grade 5 student Jacob Dyck was one of 38 people who registered to speak on a new private member’s bill that would require elementary teachers use a screening tool to check on how Manitoba’s youngest pupils are progressing with reading and writing.

Jacob introduced himself and, after stumbling over some initial “ums” and “likes,” spoke candidly about his early years in school and frustrations about needing a tutor.

“The teachers didn’t teach me right and it was hard and it was painful for me,” he told the standing committee on social and economic development at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

“I definitely don’t want that to happen to other kids ‘cause then that just makes me sad.”

His two-minute presentation ended with a round of applause. Roughly 25 people in the crowd, including Jacob’s mother, showed up in red — a nod to Dyslexia Canada’s logo and Oct. 8 being World Dyslexia Awareness Day.

Bill 225, the Public Schools Amendment Act (Universal Screening for Learning Disabilities) would mandate screening of all children take place twice per year in kindergarten and every year leading up to Grade 4.

The bill would also direct schools to share results with caregivers within 30 days.

The Manitoba Liberals’ lone MLA, Cindy Lamoureux introduced it on March 26.

Two weeks later, the NDP government announced a directive requiring teachers to pay closer attention to students’ early literacy skills and gaps, starting in September 2026.

“It’s incredibly sad when we take a step back and we actually do an overview of what’s happening across Canada,” Lamoureux said in an interview before the committee meeting.

The new mom noted that Manitoba has one of the lowest literacy rates in the country and its neighbours, including Ontario and Saskatchewan, require universal screening by law.

Lamoureux later told Room 254 that she was open to amendments.

At the same time, the MLA for Tyndall Park said it’s important that evidence-based screening tools are cemented in legislation so all children, regardless of where they go to school, are properly assessed.

Lamoureux co-drafted the bill with outspoken teachers and dyslexia advocates who are concerned that early signs of struggle are being missed.

Following five hours of public presentations and discussion among MLAs, the education minister thanked presenters for sharing their stories and assured them that screening tools are already being piloted.

While Tracy Schmidt suggested the bill’s “spirit and intent is beautiful,” the minister said the province wants to avoid redundancies.

“Fundamentally, we all want the same things and that’s for better literacy outcomes and experiences for every child in Manitoba,” Schmidt said shortly before the meeting wrapped up at 11:25 p.m.

Sid Alli and his family wore red T-shirts to show their support for the bill.

His 11-year-old daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia, cognitive functioning challenges and a speech impediment in Grade 3. The public school parent paid thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for a private assessment.

“Reading and writing is the foundation of everything in society — academics, work,” he said. “If you don’t have those basic skill-sets, you’re limited in what you can do.”

While it’s too late for his now-Grade 6 daughter, Alli said he hopes Bill 225 can save others from costly frustration and impact children’s lives for the better.

The Manitoba Human Rights Commission is scheduled to release its long-awaited report on gaps in literacy instruction at the end of the month.

Executive director Karen Sharma and her team have surveyed hundreds of parents, teachers and students with learning disabilities in recent years.

Sharma has also been meeting with stakeholders to discuss status quo practises.

Findings will be shared with the public on Oct. 30 at the Centre culturel franco-manitobain.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca