Context: Recently, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) informed the Rajya Sabha about the implementation of School Health Programme (SHP) which is jointly developed by Ministry of Human Resources Development and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

• School Health Programme (SHP) under Ayushman Bharat to foster the growth, development and educational achievement of school going children by promoting their health and wellbeing.
• This initiative will aim to strengthen the existing programs: Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) by strengthening the preventive and promotive aspects of health in environment of schools in line with the overall approach of Ayushman Bharat.
• National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) have also developed curriculum framework and training material for training of nodal teachers, in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG- 3) which aspires to ensure health and well-being for all.

Objectives

• To provide age appropriate information about health and nutrition to the children in schools.
• To promote healthy behaviors among the children that they will inculcate for life.
• To detect and treat diseases early in children and adolescents including identification of
• malnourished and anemic children with appropriate referrals to PHCs and hospitals.
• To promote use of safe drinking water in schools
• To promote safe menstrual hygiene practices by girls
• To promote yoga and meditation through Health & Wellness Ambassadors.
• To encourage research on health, wellness and nutrition for children.

Target Population

• The school health promotion activities will be implemented in all the government and government aided schools in the country. This will be achieved through the joint efforts and close coordination between Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource and Development at all levels (Centre and State). 

Vision of the programme: The initiative targets both Education and Health and intends to facilitate an integrated approach to health programming and more effective learning at the school level.

Major Roles

• Under the programme teachers act as “Health and Wellness Ambassadors” and disseminate various key information by organising culturally sensitive activity based sessions for one hour per week for 24 weeks in a year to promote joyful learning.
• Further, the students act as Health and Wellness Messengers in the society. And every Tuesday is dedicated as Health and Wellness Day in the schools.