Comprehensive School Health Programme
BACKGROUND
Children are the future as they grow; they will influence the thinking of society. Hence the importance of working with children, influencing their understanding of health and society working to make them change agents in their communities. School is a crucial part of children’s lives. They are receptive to ideas, enjoy challenges, are keen to learn and do new things and are inquisitive. Hence children in schools are an appropriate group to address and promote their understanding of issues related to society and health. The most significant and tangible contributions of the church have been education and health care. Churches welcomes strengthening of their schools. The church leadership is also open because the programme is low cost and easily understood and implemented. Church schools thus are a convenient and receptive entry point.
PROJECT AREA
North and South India
PROBLEM
Area
Lack of health care to marginalized groups like the tribals and urban poor leading to deprivation of health among children and the community in general.
Specific
The school curriculum does not give priority to issues of health and well being of children
STRATEGY
- Piloting new ideas in the existing sites
- To get more schools and institutions to adopt school health through the following strategies:
- Sensitization
- Research
- Advocacy
- Capacity Building
METHDOLOGY
Target group
Sixth standard students in schools located in urban slums, rural or tribal areas
Process
To identify new and innovative ideas through review of literature and visit school health projects of other NGO’s. Build the capacity of the existing schools to implement the identified innovative ideas. Propagate the CMAI model of school health programme to more schools through sensitization, advocacy, research and capacity building.
OBJECTIVES
- To build the capacity of schools to transform children to be change agent
- To facilitate more institutions/ churches/ schools to introduce the programme
ACTIVITIES
- Capacity building for teachers
- Health classes for students using innovative methods of teaching like school mela and others
- Sensitization of more churches, institutions and schools to propagate CMAI model of school programme
- Documentation and sharing of experiences and learning
RESULTS
-
Students have enhanced knowledge and skills in health and related issues
-
Existing schools introduce newer methods/ interventions with children
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More schools/institutions /churches introduce the CMAI model of transforming
LATEST UPDATES
Regular school melas, community outreach, Observation of special events that has a important bearing on health and development for example World AIDS Day in December.
© Copyright. 2005 Christian Medical Association of India |
