SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
In 1964 – welfare unit school meals programme initiated by Ghana education service. The current school health and nutrition programme was initiated out of 1990 world conference on education for all (EFA) at Jomtien, Thailand. In February / March 1991 – school health survey was conductedregions by health education unit of the MOH in 4 regions.
The School Health Education Programme (SHEP), of the Ghana Education Service (GES) was incepted after the government of Ghana had become a signatory to the Convention on the Right of the Child. In 1992, the ministries of education and health were mandated by the government’s directives to institute a school health system in schools to introduce an integrated health education and health delivery service to complement and supplement academic components of formal education and child survival. It is a programme initiated by Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Health (MOH), in 1992. The Ministry of Education (MOE) was assigned the lead role, while the Ministry of Health (MOH) provides technical support.
SHEP implement its programmes within the focusing resources on effective school health (FRESH) which encompasses the fundamental principles and practice of approaches such as ‘child friendly schools’ of UNICEF, ‘Health promoting schools’ of WHO, the ‘international school health initiative’ of the world bank and other organizations.
VISION OF SHEP
A well informed healthy school population equipped within life skill, to maintain healthy behavior, supported by a responsive health system.
MISSION
Our mission is to provide comprehensive health education and series, as well as ensure availability and use of water and sanitation facilities in schools.
OBJECTIVES
Our objectives are listed as follows:
v To provide policy direction for the implementation of school health activities.
v To provide skills-based health education that promotes the physical, social and mental development of school age children.
v To provide basic heath and referral services.
v To promote a healthy and friendly learning environment for children to enhance their school retention and academic competence.
v To ensure availability and proper use of water and sanitation facilities.
v To sensitize the communities to support school health interventions.
Minimum Package for School Level Health Services Delivery
The following activities were established as a minimum package for service delivery at the school level. However, it has not been possible to implement it in full through all regions and districts. They have only been implemented in parts depending on resources available. The activities are:
v General physical examination.
v Provision of pupils/students health records.
v Vision testing.
v Hearing, speech and language assessment.
v Oral health screening.
v Immunization assessment and growth promotion
v Provision of first-aid and treatment of minor ailments including dressing of wounds.
v Certification and monitoring of food vendors and quality off food sold.
v Health and hygiene education.
v Identification and assistance to children with learning disabilities.
v Referrals.
v STI’s, HIV and AIDS.
v Provision of counseling services for
§ Adolescent reproductive health issues.
§ Behavioral problems
§ Substance (Drug, alcohol, etc) abuse.
§ Victims of violence, sexual abuse, etc
§ Learning disabilities
§ School children and family counseling.
School Health Services in Collaboration with GHS:
v Deworming.
v Iodated salt promotion in schools
v Oral health and eye care
v Screening and referral of children
v Immunization, malaria control, tobacco control, vitamin A supplement and others.
METHODOLOGY
v Workshops are organized for teachers to disseminate information.
v Child to child approach used for children to pass on information to peers, siblings and other out-of-school children
v Screening, referral and management of children with special needs
v Advocacy and training of school health committees (shcs)
v Training of teachers, pupils and school community members in HIV/AIDS prevention education.
v Formation of health clubs in schools.
v Integrating of health and hygiene education in the basic school curriculum.
IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS
v MOH & GHS
v MLGRD, Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate
v Ghana Aids Commission
v MWRW &H (CWSA)
v Development Partners
v Das
v PTAs / SMCs
v Development Partners – JICA, Danida, UNICEF, WHO etc.
v NGOs, CBOs, FBOs etc.
Click the link below to view some SHEP activities
Click the link below to view some SHEP activities
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