A CASE STUDY: DIABETIC STUDENTS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN AN INCLUSIVE SCHOOL. A COMPLAINT TO THE OMBUDSMAN

Abstract

The participation of pupils with chronic diseases in extracurricular activities is a non-peaceful issue that generates headlines in the media, doubts in schools about how to proceed and what responsibility to assume, demands from affected families and even complaints to the educational administrations or the Ombudsman, as it is the case raised here.

In this case study on a student affected by type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, the problem is addressed with a threefold purpose: reporting, on the one hand, the educational authorities by the school inspector so that reasoned arguments can be provided to the Ombudsman; on the other hand, advising the educational institution on how to proceed to guarantee the rights of both the student and the teaching staff; and, finally, mediating in family conflicts that affect educational processes.

The approach taken here by the inspector is deliberately both legal and educational, a dual perspective which should always govern his actions.