Dealing with health emergency in classrooms

Abstract

The study focuses on the teachers' knowledge and ability to deal with health emergencies that may arise in the classroom. Mainly, it is based on three health conditions: Epilepsy, Asthma and Diabetes Mellitus. A triangulation research method is applied to obtain a clear picture of the Maltese situation regarding health emergencies in the classrooms. Interviews with various personnel from areas of health, education, legal and union of teachers are conducted in order to obtain their views and opinions on the subject. This is sustained and compared with local and foreign research. Questionnaires were carried out, in order to elicit teachers' views, knowledge on the health conditions and suggestions on the area. After analysing and discussing the various views, the study concludes that teachers feel the need for training both within their teacher training course and even throughout their teaching years, as most are not prepared to deal with these health emergencies. Another conclusion made was the need to depart from the opinion-based issues regarding health and the formation of of school health legislation and school-based policies regarding the role of teachers in health emergencies. Practical recommendations were given at educational, school, national and individual level in order to prepare teachers and make them feel at ease if the need arises to deal with a health emergency. As an extension to our study, a teaching pack was produced to start implementing the need for awareness on the role of teachers in health emergency cases.