Surprisingly, no one knows how many children receive educationinEnglish hospitals, still less the content or quality ofthateducation. Proper records are jus t not kept. We know thatmorethan 850.000 children go through hospital each year, and thateverychild of school age has a legal center to continue toreceiveeducation while in hospital. We also know there is onlyonehospital teacher to every 1,000 children in hospital.

Little wonder the latest survey concludes that the extent andtypeof hospital teaching available differ a great deal acrossthecountry. It is found that half the hospitals in England whichadmitchildren have no teacher. A further quarter have only apart-timeteacher. The special childrens hospitals in major citiesdo best;general hospitals in the country and holiday areas areworst off.From this survey, one can estimate that fewer than one infivechildren have some contact with a hospital teacher-and thatcontactmay be as little as two hour s a day. Most childreninterviewedwere surprised to find a teacher in hospital at all.They had notbeen prepared for it by parents or their own school. Ifthe re wasa teacher they were much more likely to read books and domath ornumber work; without a teacher they would only playgames.

Reasons for hospital teaching range from preventing achildfalling behind and maintaining the habit of school to keepingachild occupied, and the latter is of ten all the teacher cando.The position and influence of many teachers was summed upwhenparents referred to them as the library lady or justthehelper. Children tend to rely on concerned school friends tokeepin touch with school work. Several parents spoke of requestsforwork being ignored or refused by the school. Once back atschoolchildren rarely get extra teaching, and are told to catch upasbest they can.

Many short-stay child-patients catch up quickly. But schoolsdovery little to ease the anxiety about falling behind expressedbymany of the children interviewed.

66． The author points out at the beginning that___.

A. every child in hospital receives some teaching

B. not enough is known about hospital teaching

C. hospital teaching is of poor quality

D. the special childrens hospitals are worst off

67. It can be inferred from the latest survey that___.

A. hospital teaching across the country is similar

B. each hospital has at least one part-time teacher

C. all hospitals surveyed offer education to children

D. only one-fourth of the hospitals have full-time teachers

68. Children in hospital usual1y turn to___in order to catchupwith their school work.

A. hospital teachers B. schoolmates C. parents D.schoolteachers