About the Education Institute
Since 1999, the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Education Institute has been at the forefront in pioneering a new approach to the education of students with a health condition that impacts on their schooling.
Now our role has broadened and we do much more.
Until 1999, like most other education services for students in hospital, a special school was provided. Through our research and practice we now believe that it is much more important that students with a health condition stay closely connected to their own school and friends. This is especially important because:
- The average length of stay at RCH is approximately 4 days.
- Laptop computers and internet technology can now be used in innovative ways to keep students connected to their school.
This belief now drives our services during and after students' stay in hospital.
It is also why research, partnerships and professional development are important to us in our work empowering schools and school systems so they are able to keep their students connected to their friends and school work. Our research in the areas of education and health is designed to inform decision makers.
