The rollout of the Cook Islands Dyslexia Society Inc (CIDSI) Pa Enua Assessor and One-to-One Tutor Training Programme has seen a significant step forward in educational support for students with dyslexia in the country.

From July 2024 through to February 2025 the programme reached schools through a series of coordinated training sessions in the southern Pa Enua: Aitutaki 48 – Apii Araura College and Apii Araura, Vaitau and Tekaaroa Primary schools, Atiu 20 – Apii Enuamanu, Mangaia 8, Mauke 11 – Apii Mauke and Mitiaro 8 - Apii Tematangarengare, a total of 95 students through a series of coordinated training sessions.

In Rarotonga, 16 students were assessed on March 29, and April 5, for a total of 111 students have been assessed in the Cook Islands.

The students are tested when they reach age nine to give them enough time to learn to read and write – four years at school.

CIDSI Chairman Jean-Marie Francis said: “A dual approach to learning support involved two key initiatives and were delivered under the Assessor Training Programme that is designed to equip one or two teacher aides or teachers per school with the skills to identify students displaying dyslexic tendencies using the GL Dyslexia Online Screener.”

Francis says this tool was recommended for use by the previous Maraurau O Te Pae Api’i/Ministry of Education’s Inclusive Education Advisor (MOE IEA) Andre Hansen, ensuring consistency in nationwide support.

 “The impact has been profound. Assessments revealed that all 104 participating students had reading levels significantly below average.

“These new training initiatives have empowered local educators and aides with practical tools to turn these results around,” said Francis.

Next Lesson director, Kathryn Pierre facilitated the One-to-One Tutor Training Programme - a hands-on workshop aimed at teachers, parents, and support staff to train them in techniques that effectively assist children with dyslexia and other reading and writing difficulties.

Pierre worked with a mixture of teachers, teacher aides, principals and  parents: Aitutaki 16, Atiu 8, Mauke 8, Mitiaro 4, and Rarotonga 23.

“It’s been really encouraging to see the uptake among the educators involved in the tutor workshops.

“We have enjoyed hearing about how the programme is being delivered and seeing photos of children participating in different aspects of it already.  The tutor sessions are pacey, with a ton of information being delivered to these classroom teachers and teacher aides in only a short space of time, so to see it being delivered to children already is remarkable and demonstrates the desire of educators willing to see progress in children reading,” said Pierre.

Francis says in the Pa Enua, educators expressed deep appreciation for the training, “especially highlighting the role of tutor Kathryn Pierre in making the sessions both practical and impactful.

“The enthusiasm shown by assessor trainees was particularly heartening. Their dedication to applying their training to benefit their students was a standout moment of the programme.”

Principal of Apii Te Uki Ou Kim Noovao attended the Saturday workshops.

“The first, led by the incredible Kathryn, was one of the most practical and informative sessions I’ve experienced in my 30 years of teaching. It provided invaluable, hands-on strategies to support students with learning differences, especially dyslexia, which affects one in five students globally,” said Noovao.

“The second workshop focused on screening for dyslexia using an accessible online tool, giving our schools a clearer direction in supporting our learners.”

Noovao says with guidance from the Inclusive Education advisors, Apii Te Uki Ou teachers together with Apii Rutaki took the opportunity to come together in the following week and complete a screening.

“Networking amongst our schools is such an important use of our resources. These workshops were a fantastic opportunity for teachers, aides, and volunteers alike. Most importantly, our students will reap the benefits. A heartfelt thank you to Jean and Kathryn for their knowledge, passion, and generosity,” said Noovao.

Apii Mauke teacher aide and school assessor Katu Tupuna says, testing the students was very useful. “Now that we know what is going on with the students and how we are going to help them,” said Tupuna.

Francis says while the programme saw many wins, it was not without its challenges.

She said communication difficulties affected engagement with some schools and intermittent internet connectivity on Atiu and Aitutaki also proved challenging.

However, the team quickly adapted, delivering offline training modules and providing pre-paid tests, and a detailed PowerPoint presentation to ensure continuity of learning and assessment.

Building on momentum, three workshops were recently held at MOE in Rarotonga— a One-on-One Tutor Training Workshop on March 29, 2025, and two Assessor Training Sessions on March 29 and April 5.

Maraurau O Te Pae Api’i Inclusive Education Advisor Shelley Berry attended the sessions with 26 teachers, aides, Special Educational Needs Coordinators, Inclusive Education coordinators, and principals.

“The recent CIDSI workshops have been invaluable in equipping our educators with the knowledge and strategies to better support the many students in our schools who are affected by dyslexia. As the Inclusive Education Advisor, I’m committed to ensuring that all learners have the opportunity to thrive, and understanding and addressing dyslexia is a crucial part of this commitment. On behalf of MOE, a sincere meitaki ma’ata to Jean, Kathryn and the team for the amazing workshops, and I look forward to working with them in the future,” said Berry.

Francis added that the programme could not have succeeded without the support of its partners expressing her heartfelt thanks to the New Zealand High Commission, particularly its Senior Development Co-ordinator Mercie Tongia, whose encouragement and collaboration are deeply appreciated.

“As exiting CIDSI Chairman, I am extremely proud of what the society and its board has achieved in three years. With continued support and growing community awareness, I’m confident that these programmes will lead to lasting improvements in literacy outcomes for students with dyslexia throughout the Cook Islands,” she said.

Francis acknowledged the generous support of Air Raro. “Air Rarotonga’s generous sponsorship of free flights to Mitiaro and Aitutaki was critical in completing the scheduled sessions – meitaki ma’ata.”