About
Bednet is an online distance learning system, ensuring that children and adolescents facing long absences due to illnesses, surgeries, and pregnancies can continue attending lessons in the comfort of their own homes and in their original classrooms. Bednet provides the equipment and counseling to those schools and families who need it for free.
Bednet started in 2002 as an innovative project in Antwerp, but quickly grew into a widely supported solution throughout Flanders. In 2015, the law was even changed to give all children with a long-term illness the right to this form of education. Since then, Bednet’s reach has been growing year on year. Nevertheless, the foundation still also relies on sponsorship and donations. BCD employees have therefore been doing their bit for a number of years, as has the foundation. This makes it possible for several students to continue attending classes each year.
The Bednet system can be extremely valuable even for nursery-age children. Quinn (5) is one of the system’s users. He has an autoimmune disorder that means he is often unwell, which prevents him from attending school full time. Bednet keeps him involved in everything that happens in the classroom even on the days he is at home. “This means he can still take part on those days,” nursery teacher Nicole explains. “He actually sits next to the other children on the bench. So there’s no need to adapt the lessons and I just behave as though he is also sitting with the group.”
The Belgian project has been supported by the John & Marine van Vlissingen Foundation since 2014. The Foundation’s contribution has been put towards the purchase of IT equipment (computers, screens, printers) and the installation thereof in the designated classrooms, homes and/or hospital rooms.
