Kozhikode: The District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) Kozhikode is conducting a special training programme for teachers working in schools which have Type-1 diabetic students. This is a first for the state and teachers are being provided with instruction on how to provide necessary care for these students.
About 2,000 children in the state have been registered under the state’s social security mission’s comprehensive diabetes treatment scheme – Mittayi. Type-1 diabetes is a condition in which the body does not produce insulin.
In order to administer insulin doses to children suffering from this life-long disease, parents often go to the school at regular intervals. Teachers and other staff are largely unaware as to how to handle a situation when the sugar level of the children suddenly changes. The present training programme is conceived as a solution to this problem.
The general education department has instructed that special facilities must be made available to such students in schools. This includes a dedicated space for insulin administration and an area where the children can consume snacks. However, this is often not implemented in many places.
There are 78 children in Kozhikode district with Type-1 diabetes. The training programme ‘Karuthalum kaithangum’ (care and support) is directed at the teachers of these students up to the higher secondary level.
The training will be led by doctors, DIET teachers and parents of afflicted students. A report will be prepared and forwarded to the education department with suggestions of what can be done in schools, the facilities and changes required, etc.
Children with Type-1 diabetes do not come under the special needs category. DIET is putting across the demand that a policy decision including these children should be implemented.
“The classes will be held in the first week of October. Such children need special attention and continued care. The challenge faced by their parents is also great. This is why training is needed” DIET Principal Dr U.K Abdu Nassar said.
