The brochure offers valuable insights and practical tips to help teachers effectively support children and young people with long Covid. The brochure is a co-creation by parents, students and education professionals, ensuring a broad perspective and practical relevance.
Why is the brochure needed?
The heartbreaking experience of 10-year-old Roos shows why the brochure is needed. She talked about it on VPRO's ZappDoc1: “I don't go to school because I have long Covid. And I think that's really sad, because I just spend my days at home on the sofa doing nothing.” Her story is not unique. Tens of thousands of students in the Netherlands miss school days because of long Covid, but their struggle often goes unnoticed. Parents are enthusiastic: “Like a compass in education, this wonderful publication not only provides practical tips for teachers about students with long Covid, but also gives us parents a sense of solidarity.”
What is long Covid?
Long Covid is a complex multisystem disease that can affect various bodily functions and organs. Symptoms vary greatly from person to person, making tailored support essential. To date, there is no curative treatment for long Covid, highlighting the need for targeted support and understanding. “Every student with long Covid is different,” emphasizes Lydia Braakman, director of Stichting Zorgeloos naar School. “It is crucial that, in addition to understanding, we provide tailored support, with the possibility of distance learning, to help these young people recover and ensure that their continuous learning pathway proceeds as smoothly as possible.”
The brochure can be downloaded here.