In communities worldwide, schools stand as pillars of support, nurturing not only the minds of students but also their overall well-being, and extending their reach to families and afar. Their significance extends beyond the realms of academia, serving as strategic hubs for the delivery of preventive healthcare services; an extension of primary health care that reaches diverse populations efficiently and effectively.
The concept of health-promoting schools, first articulated by WHO, UNESCO, and UNICEF in 1995 held immense promise for fostering holistic development. However, its widespread implementation remains a challenge, with only a handful of countries successfully integrating health promotion into their education systems. The institutional changes necessary for its sustainability and effectiveness have yet to be fully realized on a global scale.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical importance of robust education systems that prioritize the intertwined objectives of education and health. Against this backdrop, an inter-ministerial meeting convened by the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia in October 2021 marked a pivotal moment. Health and Education ministers from across the region, including the Maldives, united in a 'Call to Action', pledging to scale up comprehensive school health programs for the well-being of children and adolescents.
The ‘Health Promoting School Conference’ technically supported by WHO Maldives was a direct outcome of the collective call for action for the future of health-promoting schools in the Maldives and beyond. With high level commitment demonstrated with the attendance of His Excellency Vice President, Cabinet Ministers, and representatives from seventeen schools in the Greater Male Area; the stage was set for transformative dialogue and collaboration. Among the attendees were management teams, students, health teachers, and counselors, each committed to play a vital role in shaping the future of school health.
As the three-day conference unfolded, it becomes evident that success hinges on a multi-sectoral approach and enhanced collaboration between health and education ministries, local governments, communities, and other stakeholders. The goal was clear: to ensure that the benefits of health-promoting schools extend to every child and adolescent, leaving no one behind.
In her remarks, WHO Representative Dr Nazneen Anwar expressed gratitude to Thaajuddeen School's senior management, particularly Principal Ms. Basheera Mohamed, for housing and spearheading the conference. Their proactive approach and collaboration with the Ministry of Education and WHO through the Ministry of Health have paved the way for this milestone event. “I am optimistic that other schools will take similar initiatives, and a series of conferences can be held throughout the country. Conferences like this provide an excellent platform to create dialogue and share good practices and learn from each other.”
The Health Promoting School conference served as an invaluable platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of best practices, a testament to their collective commitment. In closing, attendees were called upon to make a collective pledge to commit themselves, as individuals, parents, teachers, students, government officials, and international agencies, to the realization of health-promoting schools in the Maldives. In doing so, they laid the groundwork for a stronger, more sustainable future for their communities, their nation, and generations to come.