Ward teaching won't do!

Some multiply handicapped children who live in long stay hospitals do not attend school. This survey of alternative arrangements for their education made in Scottish hospitals shows that it is the children with the most severe handicaps who are taught in wards rather than in schools. Yet generally they receive little teaching time, few of their teachers have specialized training, there is limited help from other professionals, and they are taught in rooms less suitable than the most inadequate classroom. No evidence was found of any educational advantages for children being taught in a ward rather than in school.