More support for pupils with dyscalculia

Pupils with dyscalculia are to receive more support in Saxony in future. Recognition as a partial performance weakness is currently being examined, the Ministry of Education announced. As part of the compensation for disadvantages, affected children and young people could then, for example, receive more time for tasks, additional aids and targeted support.

"We are hoping for a broad majority in the state parliament and will then implement this quickly," emphasized Minister of Education Conrad Clemens (CDU). He is pleased about the open cross-party discourse. "We are all united by the goal of providing more targeted support for affected pupils."

Staged introduction planned

A phased model is planned for implementation. As a first step, children in grades 1 to 3 are to be granted compensation for disadvantages in the 2026/27 school year and, from the following 2027/28 school year, affected pupils from grade 4 onwards. According to the ministry, gradual implementation is necessary in order to train teachers.

Dyscalculia is recognized by the World Health Organization as a school development disorder. Those affected have pronounced difficulties in learning arithmetic. For example, they have a problem with quantities and arithmetic operations. It is estimated that at least one pupil in every class is affected. Unlike dyslexia, dyscalculia is not yet recognized as a partial learning disability in Saxony.