Penang: The Seberang Jaya Hospital (HSJ) is the first in Penang to implement the School in Hospital (SIH) initiative, in line with efforts to provide inclusive access to education to ensure children warded in hospitals are not marginalised.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced that the hospital's SIH programme began on August 5, 2024, with the deployment of a supervisor, three teachers, and an assistant teacher. This initiative is supported by the Ministry of Health (MoH), which has provided premises and appropriate facilities on Level 5 of the hospital's new building.
The SIH programme at HSJ is further enhanced with two smartboards contributed by the Tun Hussein Onn Teachers' Foundation, along with two units of Nintendo video games, a 3D printer, and various office equipment provided by the Ministry of Education (MoE). Since its inception, the programme has catered to 642 students, ensuring continuity in learning while offering emotional support and motivation to students undergoing treatment.
In alignment with the MoE's 'Pendidikan Manusiawi' (Humanising Education) aspiration, which aims to provide every child with access to education, the SIH initiative also aids in the recovery process and inspires students to continue learning under any circumstances. The curriculum used is based on the National Curriculum but is implemented flexibly to accommodate the students' varied abilities and circumstances.
The SIH initiative was initially introduced in 2011 at three pioneering hospitals and has since been expanded to 20 programmes across 12 states, benefiting approximately 454,246 children. Fadhlina emphasized the importance of teachers in this programme, noting that those selected are volunteers committed to its success.
Plans are underway to expand the SIH programme to two more states, Perak and Putrajaya. This expansion necessitates thorough planning, including ensuring proper space within hospitals. Collaboration with the MoH is crucial to ensure that the provided facilities are comfortable and conducive to learning. Despite the lengthy discussion process, both ministries are committed to the programme's success, with appreciation extended to the MoH for its substantial support.