The Rights and Educational Needs of Sick
Children and Adolescents
- Every sick child and adolescent has the right to tuition within hospital or at home.
- The aim of tuition for sick children and adolescents is the continuation of education, enabling them to maintain their pupil-role.
- The hospital school creates a community of children and adolescents, and normalizes everyday life. Hospital education shall be organized as class, group or individual teaching and at the bedside.
- Hospital and home tuition must be adapted to the needs and abilities of the child or adolescent in co-operation with the home school.
- The learning environment and facilities must be adapted to the needs of sick children and adolescents, and communication technologies shall also be used to prevent isolation.
- A variety of teaching methods and resources shall be used. The content encompasses more than formal curriculum learning. It includes subjects related to special needs arising from illness and hospitalization.
- The hospital and home tuition teachers must be fully qualified and receive further training.
- The teachers of sick children and adolescents are full members of the multi-disciplinary caring team and are the link between the hospitalized child or adolescent and the home school.
- Parents must be informed about the right to schooling and the educational program of their sick child or adolescent. They shall be recognized as active and responsible partners.
- The integrity of the child or adolescent shall be respected including medical confidentiality and private convictions.
Adopted by the General Assembly of HOPE in
Barcelona - 20th May 2000