Coeliac Association Malta has worked on a small initiative to contact State School Colleges, Independent Schools and the Delegate for Catholic Education to share a short guide on how to manage coeliac disease in schools.
Coeliac Disease is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own tissues due to eating gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. The only treatment for coeliac disease is a lifelong gluten-free diet.
Students who suffer from coeliac disease will need some additional attention to ensure that they are not accidentally exposed to gluten and also ensure that they are included in all activities organised at school.
We can summarise this in 4 key principles:
- Prevent cross-contamination
- Keep food and eating areas clean and separate
- Plan food activities and outings in advance
- Keep families, students and all staff informed
The guide includes these principles and other details which provide a quick insight into what a school and its staff members can look into when they need to manage students who suffer from coeliac disease.