Vital developmental stages are being skipped as young children learn to type on a keyboard before putting a pen to paper.
But this means some children have not mastered the basic skill by the time they start their A-levels - even though they are experts at texting and communicating online.
Examiners complain some A-level and GCSE scripts are illegible, while pupil referrals to occupational therapists are now 'widespread'.
Ian Toone, of the Voice teaching union, said:
'Some teachers, especially in the younger age bracket, argue that it is a waste of time teaching joined-up handwriting because soon "everyone will be doing everything on computers".He added:
'Other teachers believe that joined-up writing is more efficient than print and aids fluency of expression and speed of thought.
'Practising handwriting helps children learn letters and shapes, and can improve the creation and expression of ideas and help to develop fine motor skills, much more so than using a keyboard.'
'The secondary curriculum only requires children to write legibly, rather than cursively (joined-up).