Around 15 lakh schools across the country will be covered under the ‘School Health Programme’ initiated by the central government to promote a healthy lifestyle among students. Approximately 25 crore students will learn key tips on healthy living under Ayushman Bharat’s ‘School Health Programme’. This programme is a joint initiative by the Union Health Ministry and the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).
The first phase of implementation will be in all the public upper primary, secondary and senior secondary schools of 200 aspirational districts. The latest statistics accounts for over 15 lakhs schools and 25 crore students for this vital issue of good practice and healthy living. Subsequently, remaining districts will be taken up in the second year,” Changsan said.
This initiative will further strengthen the concept of preventive, promotive and positive health, which forms the fundamental cornerstone of the Health & Wellness Centres of Ayushman Bharat scheme,” said Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare.
This initiative will be effectively linked with other government initiatives such as Fit India movement, Eat Right campaign, Poshan Abhiyaan for an all-round and holistic development model of health for the school children etc,” he said.
While the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) developed 24-hour curriculum, training materials for the training of nodal teachers, facilitators guide were developed in consultation with the union health ministry.
Growing up healthy, emotional wellbeing and mental health, interpersonal relationships, values and responsible citizenship, gender equality, nutrition, health and sanitation, promotion of healthy lifestyles, prevention and management of substance misuse, reproductive health and HIV prevention, safety and security against violence and injuries, and promotion of safe use of internet, media and social media are the 11 identified themes.
“A National Resource Group (NRG) of 40 members has already been constituted by NCERT who have sound training skills and experience in Adolescent Health. The NRG will train the State Resource Group which will comprise of 2 persons each from SCERT, SIHFW and DIET from each selected district at the 5 Regional Institute of Education (RIE) at Shillong, Mysore, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar and Ajmer,” he said.
