Overview of the Elementary school "Dr Dragan Hercog" activities and the collaboration with the Institute of Mental Health

Abstract

Hospital school program was first organized in Switzerland, Lausanne in 1910. The first organized forms of such educational work in our country date back to post-WW II period, and first classes in hospitals belonged to the nearest schools. Since such organization could not ensure continuous and uniform quality of education, a need arose to establish a school that would be solely focused on working with hospitalized children. On September 1st, 1969, primary school Dr Dragan Hercog officially started its operation, unique by its organization and education form: in Belgrade hospitals and through home school programs. In 1971, shortly after the school was established, one department of junior grades was set up at the Institute of Mental Health, at the Children's Daily Hospital over the following years, and also at the Children and Youth Health Care Department both for junior and senior grades. A hospital teacher must meet complex requirements: to be familiar with clinical features of early developmental disorders and their effects upon the teaching process, to boast of high flexibility, adaptability, patience, positive attitude, commitment and creativity. He/she must be a good organizer of the teaching process and take part in teamwork. The purpose of a school in hospital is to provide hospitalized pupils with continuity in educational process, i.e. to create conditions for their comeback to schools, easier and faster continuation of education. Conclusion: Owing to decades-long cooperation between the hospital and the school we have successfully accomplished the common goal of "every child's welfare" which is why such cooperation should be sustained.