SP0037 Inclusion of ill children into their home school by real time education
Authors: E. Janssens
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2018)

<h3></h3> The right to education, even when ill It seems self-evident. Even when you are ill for a long time, you preserve the right to learn and keep your place in het social environment of your class group. For 25 years now the right to education has been established as a right of every child, as formulated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Since 2006 Bednet makes sure that this fundamental right is fulfilled. Bednet takes care that children and youngsters who are absent for a shorter or longer period because of physical or mental illness, surgery or pregnancy, can continue attending the lessons – from their home and with their own class group. In the educational law it is called: synchronous internet education (SIE). But it is only since 1 September 2015 that synchronous internet education (SIE) is structurally embedded in the educational system of the Flemish Community. This results in the right to SIE for every child with a chronic or long term illness. Along with lessons, and all the rest Bednet takes care that children and youngsters who are absent for a shorter or longer period because of physical or mental illness, surgery or pregnancy, can continue attending the lessons – from their home and with their own class group. It is available for pre-school children from the age of 5, pupils of primary and secondary schools. The equipment and the counselling is free for schools and families, and this throughout the period in which the child needs it. Bednet aims at limiting arrears in learning by providing a set of tailor-made lessons. This way 9 children out of 10 succeed in passing on to the next class despite their absence from school. Moreover Bednet makes an opening in the isolation of the child by enabling regular contacts with peers. The illness recedes to the background and the child is temporarily back with friends 'in his or her class group'. The non-profit organisation always collaborates with the parents, the school and other partners, such as the hospital schools and volunteers. <h3>Bednet in practice</h3> Bednet creates a live connexion between the pupil with an illness and his or her class group. The pupils and the teacher see the youngster on the flat screen at the back of the classroom. The child at home can direct a camera, enabling him or her to attend the lesson and/or talk to peers. Bednet uses a system that is easy to use. The pupil participates actively in the lesson, answers questions, can send and receive documents and take part in group work. Just as if the pupil were really sitting in the classroom. Bednet operates with regional consultants in the different provinces. They do the follow-up of the children and confer with parents, hospital and school. They plan everything and take care of the concrete organisation. A technical helpdesk supports children and school throughout the project. <h3>Bednet in numbers</h3> In the first full school year during which Bednet was active (2007–2008), 37 children were supported. Since the start more than 1,900 children with a long time or chronic illness have used Bednet in 1,250 Flemish schools with synchronous internet education. The children and youngsters live in all parts of Flanders and Brussels. Two out of three Bednet users attend secondary school. Cancer remains the most common pathology with 21% of all users. Also patients with rheumatology belong to the target group of Bednet. <h3>The future</h3> Under the authority of the Flemish Government Bednet faces the big challenge of guaranteeing the right to SIE for each and every child with a long term illness. It is gradually being extended to cover all children with a long-term absence from school in the whole of Flanders. It is estimated that numbers could grow to 1.000 children in 2018. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared