The 2021-25 National School Health Programme sets a goal for 80 percent of schools having at least one area to ensure necessary equipment and tools for physical education and sports activities. (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) The programme's target is to ensure the comprehensive physical and mentaldevelopment for children at preschools, special education schools, and studentsat primary and high schools.
The national programme has set goals for 80 percent of schools to have adequatemedicines and equipment as regulated by the Ministry of Health, 75 percent ofschools to provide enough drinking water and clean water for students'activities.
It also sets targets for physical education and sports activities in schools.
According to the programme, 80 percent of schools will have at least one areato ensure necessary equipment and tools for physical education and sportsactivities as prescribed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
All schools will periodically organise sports competitions in accordance withthe law on physical sports; 100 percent of primary and high schools have enoughqualified physical teachers who were trained in professional skills.
Targets were set for school meals, ensuring proper nutrition for children,including 100 percent of schools organising lunch at canteens, ensuring hygieneand food safety according to regulations of the Ministry of Health.
Sixty percent of schools will have milk and dairy products in standard schoolmeals according to regulations of the Ministry of Health.
School health education must also be a focus. According to the programme, 100 percentof students must be educated about health and improve knowledge about diseaseprevention and mental health.
Students must be taught about proper nutrition, healthy and safe food.
Fifty percent of high school students must receive information and counsellingon mental health and psychology. Education on the care of children will also beexpanded to include teachers, students and parents.
The 2021-25 National School Health Programme also clearly outlines the tasksand solutions for the future. One of the important solutions is to upgrade thehealthcare facilities and equipment in schools.
Specifically, schools need to be equipped with medical equipment and medicineto ensure the effective implementation of school healthcare work, meeting therequirements of disease prevention and control especially amid the COVID-19pandemic.
In which, schools will install tables and chairs suitable for students' height,especially children with disabilities; building or repairing clean water works,and sanitation facilities in schools.
The health and education sectors will also be working to strengthen theirinspection of school healthcare including food safety, dental care, opticalcare and first aid capabilities.
For disadvantaged, remote and mountainous, ethnic minority areas, theGovernment will give priority and promote the improvement of medical equipmentto ensure conditions for teaching and learning, and school meals.
Another major solution is to improve the quality of school health workers.
Many schools are struggling to overcome skills and infrastructure shortages todeliver quality student healthcare.
A principal of the Trung Hoa Kindergarten in Cau Giay district, Hanoi, admittedthat private kindergartens do not have a room dedicated to health purposes.Sick students or those injured in accidents, are attended to by teachersadministering basic medicines and liaising with parents.
Few private kindergartens had health rooms or simple healthequipment so it will still be dangerous if students have serious illness.
According to the programme, schools are suggested to arrange full-time orpart-time health staff, even if they are not on the school's payroll, to carryout school health work in accordance with the specific conditions of eachlocality and each school.
In addition, schools need to renovate physical education and school sportsactivities, encourage the development of swimming, football and ethnic sportssuitable to the characteristics of each region.
They will effectively deploy school sports activities suitable to students'interests and ages, as well as organising school-level sports tournaments.
Funding will come from the State budget, and lawful revenue of schools, as wellas support from domestic and social organisations and individuals. /.
VNA
