Health promoting school

Children and adolescents spend most of their productive time in schools. By promoting healthy behaviour from early childhood through the school setting, it would benefit the children directly. Health Promoting Schools approach is comprehensive, considers health of teachers, school staff and partnership with parents and community. COVID-19 has affected children and adolescents physical and mental health as well as social well-being. Health promoting schools become important agenda for school reopening for better response to health needs and to prevent future risks.

Schools are strategic platforms for delivering preventive health care services and these services are considered as an extended arm of primary health care. Schools provide an efficient and effective way to promote health and to reach large numbers of the population.

WHO launched eight Global Standards on Health Promoting Schools in 2021 to strengthen implementation of comprehensive school health programme along with creating supportive environment for children, adolescents, staff and community.

“Every School can promote health and contribute to a strong and sustainable future for its community and its nation. Working together as individuals, parents, teachers, community leaders, government officials, and representatives of international agents, we can increase the number of health promoting schools in every country. As we succeed everyone benefits.”