Private school in Nagasaki rejects leukemia patient's application

Monday 30th March, 01:50 PM JST

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techall at 04:18 PM JST - 30th March

One word people.......Liability.
combinibento at 04:25 PM JST - 30th March

Kind of sad considering this school is located in Nagasaki, where the cancer rate has been higher than other areas over the past 60 years for obvious reasons. You'd think schools (even private ones) in that city would have a little more tolerance and be willing to make some reasonable accomodations for a youth with leukemia.
shiuu at 04:31 PM JST - 30th March

If she needs a special room to avoid contracting diseases, she'll need a private classroom as well as her own private teacher. I wonder how many of those who criticize the school's decision would be willing to volunteer to teach her for free?
Ah_so at 04:48 PM JST - 30th March

I do not think Japan has yet sunk to the levels of litigation fear that paralyse other parts of the world, such as the US and Britain.

Deepair65 and shiuu have hit the nail on the head - if the girl cannot sit an exam with other students, how can she attend a class? Quite clearly she cannot, so the school would be forced to employ extra teachers to teach one child only, something that it is hardly fair to expect.
BurakuminDes at 05:39 PM JST - 30th March

Methinks several school officials will be fired for this. I know some posters will jump all over me for being a "left-wing PC nutter", but I'd like to think we live in an age where sick kids can be accomodated in situations like this, even if it coasts a bit of extra cash to hire a private room. Stay tuned.
sharky1 at 05:45 PM JST - 30th March

It's time for Japan to start using its prowess in technology to provide online testing and online high schools for students that are unable to mainstream in the current system.
smithinjapan at 05:52 PM JST - 30th March

”Generally speaking, a private school has its limits for accepting physically handicapped students."

Generally speaking, private schools cater to the needs of students based on the demand of the parents who pay an arm and a leg (not including 'donations') to for said schooling. Does this guy think the girl is going to get the care she needs in a PUBLIC school?!?

In all honesty it sounds like the young lady would have a tough time in any open classroom setting beyond being home schooled or at a school with private rooms. However, this would be a good chance, without filing suit quite yet, of checking out how able the school is equipped to deal with other special needs cases. For example, do they have wheel chair access? If they failed to meet certain standards, THEN I think there were be grounds for litigation, as it is I'm really not so sure this case meets it. It's sad, but aside from having a specially partitioned area in each room she were to study in, I don't see how it's possible. If THAT's possible, then she SHOULD be let in.

That being said, there is no reason not to install a webcam and have the girl be able to learn in a special room/at home via online webcam. Use iChat, etc. That would cost very little and would provide access for the girl in a controlled setting.
Gloobey at 07:03 PM JST - 30th March

I do not think Japan has yet sunk to the levels of litigation fear that paralyse other parts of the world, such as the US and Britain.

I beg your pardon? Britain is not an overtly litigious country. Check your facts prior to posting.
Spidey at 07:36 PM JST - 30th March

Shunned by the very society that no doubt contributed to her getting leukemia in the first place.

Shameful

S!
IchyaWarFare at 08:55 PM JST - 30th March

Does this guy think the girl is going to get the care she needs in a PUBLIC school?!?

No. But I am sure he knows the school better than anyone else, and if it is not equipped to take care of her, it is best that she does not go for her own safety.

It's sad, but aside from having a specially partitioned area in each room she was to study in, I don't see how it's possible. If THAT's possible, then she SHOULD be let in.

A partition is not a controlled area. I am not sure if you have dealt with a person with leukemia, but it is not that simple. You are talking a lot of money that this school may or may not have to accommodate one student. If this school does change and starts accommodating to special needs people, good on them. But the reality of it is sad.

That being said, there is no reason not to install a webcam and have the girl be able to learn in a special room/at home via online webcam. Use iChat, etc. That would cost very little and would provide access for the girl in a controlled setting.

That is a great idea and hopefully something that can be implemented. Not sure if Japan uses much online learning besides in some of their colleges and I think that is even rare.
TheMarion at 09:05 PM JST - 30th March

Technology being what it is today, couldn't lessons and answers be faxed or e-mailed to and from the patient and the classroom, - thereby assuring no pysical contact between both sides.
bamboohat at 09:49 PM JST - 30th March

1) This is a private school, who earn a living by admitting kids whose parents pay for a certain product. Going to school that caters to cripples is not that product. Sad, but true.

2) Recently a school coach, or something, was found liable for a student getting struck by lightning.

The school did a cost benefit analysis, and made the proper choice. If they are met with social outcry which threatens their enrollment, they will need to make another cost benefit analysis.

That being said, I really feel for the girl. I don't know anything about leukemia, but I'd volunteer to home school her a few hours a week if I had the time and lived in Nagasaki. I sincerely hope she figures something out and doesn't feel like an leper, but something tells me she already does.
tmarie at 01:23 AM JST - 31st March

Oh please the bleeding hearts, you have no idea what you are on about. If she can't take the exam with everyone else she will need special treatment, more time and effort by the teachers and school and frankly, they don't want the problems that go with these students. Parents start demanding things and flip out when their daughter doesn't get something special but will then turn around and demand she be treated like all the other students. It is a lose/lose situation for the teachers, students and school. As someone who has dealt with these "special" kids I think the school made the best decision. There are "free" schools that this girl could "attend" which would better suit her needs. A special room for the exam means they'll expect special care for many other things. It is not fair to put that stress on teachers nor the other students.
Mz at 07:05 AM JST - 31st March

While I sympathise for the girl's condition, I'm in agreement with tmarie and other posters who can see the school's side. She is vulnerable to infectious diseases therefore cannot expect to attend a class. I don't understand the uproar.
IchyaWarFare at 09:04 AM JST - 31st March

tmarie, Mz, good comments.