Ministry of Education hosts technical working group meeting for school health policy

The Ministry of Education has held a three-day Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting in Koforidua, aimed at reviewing and enhancing the School Health Policy.

The event, which took place from October 15 to 17, 2024, focused on the context, framework, implementation, and communication strategies of the school health Policy.

This programme is supported by key development partners, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The School Health Policy (SHEP) is designed to guide the implementation of health education activities in schools with the aim of providing skills-based health education that promotes the physical, social, and mental development of school-age children.

Additionally, it seeks to address current trends in school health and as well create a healthy, friendly, and conducive learning environment to enhance school retention and academic performance while preventing health- related absenteeism.

In recent times, challenges such as rising mental health issues among students, inadequate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, and the resurgence of infectious diseases have underscored the urgent need for health interventions in schools.

The policy aims to address these challenges by integrating mental health resources, improving WASH conditions, and implementing preventive measures for infectious diseases, ultimately fostering overall student wellness.

Some of the components of the policy include the development of appropriate Informat io n, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to support health education.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Theresa Oppong-Mensah, the Director of SHEP at the Ghana Education Service, who stood in for the Director of Pre-tertiary at the Ministry of Education, Nana Baffour-Awuah, encouraged participants from the Ministry and other stakeholders to dedicate their efforts to producing a policy document that meets the set goals.

She also emphasised that the policy would promote safety and prevent injuries within the school environment and the broader community.
 
The four-day residential technical working group concluded on Friday, with the assurance of a draft policy document that aligns with the workshop’s objectives.

In his closing remarks, the Director in charge Pre-tertiary acknowledged his appreciation to the three development partners who are sponsors of this school health policy in ensuring the Ministry achieves its mandate in developing such a policy.