Education for hospitalised children: Lessons from Philo Impilo

Jill Kruger, Thea de Wet, Salim Vally

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The futures of children around the world are often hampered by a lack of education. Two millennium development goals (MDGs) aim to address this situation. In South Africa, although the targets set for universal access to primary education for boys and girls (MDG 2) and gender equality at all levels of education (MDG 3) are reportedly on track, there is a disparity in educational solutions for hospitalised children. In the KwaZulu-Natal province, where scores of children are hospitalised with HIV, tuberculosis, and other critical illnesses and injuries, the trend has been to close hospital schools. Previously, hospital schools provided for early childhood development, primary and secondary education. Currently, mainstream schools are expected to be inclusive and educate children in hospitals. We use the Phila Impilo (Live Life) initiative to offer insights into how children's own experiences can be used to inform best practices for their treatment, care and education while hospitalised. We suggest that a commitment to inclusive education implies that the needs of hospitalised children should be taken into account in educational policy and planning, enabling them to feel whole, respected and supported, despite their illness and the challenges that they face.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)269-282
Number of pages14
JournalEducation as Change
Volume16
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2012

Keywords

  • hospital schools
  • Phila Impilo
  • right to education

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education

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