Cancer ward in Shanghai first to give classes to child patients

SHANGHAI: A hospital ward here that cares for children with leukaemia has become the first in the city to provide regular classes taught by schoolteachers.

Education provision at the Children’s Hospital of Shanghai used to be sporadic, at best, with classes given only occasionally by university students who were all volunteers.

This was an issue because children undergoing treatment for leukaemia have to be hospitalised for weeks at a time over a period of two to three years.

Many ended up suspending their schooling altogether, which concerned Niu Jun, head of the hospital’s social work department.

“It’s important that they don’t become separated from their education or fall behind in regard to their communication and interpersonal skills, because when they recover they will go back to school,” said the 39-year-old Shanghai native.

To remedy the situation, Niu invited teachers from 12 of the city’s kindergartens, primary and junior high schools to give lessons at the hospital, starting last spring.

They teach the curriculum, covering subjects such as Chinese, mathematics, social studies, science and art once a week.

The 50 or so children receiving treatment for leukaemia are divided into three age groups and attend class in a room next to their ward, which is furnished in much the same way as a school classroom would be.

A survey carried out by Niu’s team three years ago found that nearly two in three young leukaemia patients have emotional problems following their diagnosis, with their top concern being education.

“Such emotional change is more obvious with older children, especially those who performed well academically before coming to the hospital,” he said.

“So we established this platform for children to interact with their peers and have access to education, which boosts their confidence.” — The China Daily/Asia News Network