A student with a chronic illness during a pandemic – challenging circumstances for teachers

The purpose of this article is to examine the challenges faced by inclusive education teachers in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in teaching students with chronic illnesses. The situations experienced by teachers of students with chronic illnesses can be analysed in terms of (1) unmet needs, (2) excessive workload, (3) challenges in task completion, (4) conflicts arising, and (5) feeling threatened. The research was conducted from a qualitative perspective. The research method used in this study was a single case study. The research group comprised 50 teachers. All interviewed teachers highlighted the challenges of longer working hours, lack of adjustment tools, and difficulties in connecting with students and their parents. Schools with a minority of students with chronic illnesses often lack the capacity, motivation, and expertise to plan activities that support teaching.