Children treated in hospital in Limerick will now not miss out on their education after a school was officially opened inside the Children's Ward of the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle.

Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, TD, with Glen Kelly from Crecora in the Ark Childrens Ward in the Mid West Regional Hospital at the opening of their School facilities last Friday. Picture: Keith Wiseman

The 'Ark School' was officially launched by the Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin last Friday morning in front of a large gathering of hospital staff, patients and their families and the media.

"The Children's Ark School demonstrates how, through working in partnership, we can eliminate the barriers to personal and educational development that can arise through illness. All children should have equal opportunities for play, recreation and education. Children who are in hospital for long periods or who have repeated admissions need access to appropriate educational provision," Minister Hanafin said.

The Children's Ark School, which opened on December 4, 2006, under the auspices of and funded by the Department of Education and Science is facilitated and supported by management at the Mid-Western Regional Hospitals.

The School caters for both Primary and Secondary School students while they are in hospital and priority is given to frequent and long-stay patients.

Children are taught in groups but those who are unable to attend the classroom are taught on a one-to-one basis at the bedside.

"By establishing this school, you are playing a very significant role in helping to reduce the impact of their illness on their schooling by providing the necessary stimulation to continue their social, emotional and educational development. Innovative schools like this demonstrate the need for flexibility so that we can cater for the educational needs of all children," Minister Hanafin said.

Commenting School Principal Margaret McCarthy said: "Our Children's Ark School helps to normalise a child's day when they are in hospital, while it also reduces stress on their return to school. Children appear much happier with the type of structure the school provides and parents regularly express positive feedback in relation to their children's experiences."

A small number of children who miss a full day from school every week to attend hospital for intravenous therapy are said to have benefited significantly from the school.

This process takes up most of their day and is likely to continue for most of their childhood however, attending the Ark School enables them to continue with their schoolwork and keep them up to date with the curriculum.

"The Children's Ark School had been canvassed for by both nursing and medical staff with support from the HSE. I would like to particularly acknowledge the commitment of our nursing staff who have been very pro-active in assisting children attending the classroom and facilitating one-to-one teaching at the bedside," added Dr Liam Carroll, Chairperson of the Ark School Board of Management.

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