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by Fathima Razik Cader

As exclusively reported in the Daily News (14 January, 2003), the Healthy Schools project was inaugurated on 22 February at the Galadari Hotel, Colombo. "A Healthy start" was one of the many positive comments made by those present - Principals, Deputies and Teachers.

It was not laid-back; it was not boring; it was not a drag. From the very outset, the air was filled with interest, concern, enthusiasm and promise - a promise that many present made to ensure that the school they belong to will do its utmost to be certified as Healthy School.

Out of the 150 schools in the city of Colombo, 75 confirmed participation. However, 68 schools were represented with an attendance of 140 comprising school Principals, Deputy/Vice-Principals and Teachers.

(Around 10 schools had sought to be excused citing sports meets and other school functions scheduled during that week.)

But the organisers - the Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council were a happy and contented lot - their efforts at highlighting the need to participate having paid off with nearly 50 per cent responding in the first instance. Some schools which could not participate have requested the PHD to have a similar programme so that such schools could participate and be a part of the project.

National, government, private and international schools were there, representing a healthy mix of educationists, who when it came to question time, did not hesitate to highlight some of the problems they face, which are injurious to the health of the children under their care.

These issues were dealt with an advice given on how to overcome them by the eminent panel present on the occasion - namely, Prof. Sanath Lamabadusuriya - Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Manouri Senanayake - Head of the Department of Paediatrics, Dr. Damani de Silva - Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry, Prof. Saroj Jayasinghe - Associate Professor, all of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, and Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam - Chief Medical Officer of Health - CMC. In his Address of Welcome, Dr. Kariyawasam, said that this project was initiated as he found many parents complaining on the state of most schools in Colombo - complaints that kept recurring, highlighting the deteriorating standards in schools and that something had to be done to address the issues raised. Dr. Kariyawasam went on to say that the PHD is the second largest department in the CMC with a staff of over 1000.

The department has moved away from the traditional way of functioning the main area of which is Public Health. With 4 divisions covering environmental health and sanitation, maternal and child welfare, epidemiology and medical informatics and laboratory services, the PHD works in co-operation and collaboration with each other.

The staff had made vast strides towards a culture change and now takes collective responsibility in their day to day activities. In the year 2002, a 20 per cent decrease in the number of dengue cases (as against 2001), was recorded and this positive factor has been attributed to the 4 divisions of the PHD interacting and working to a set plan of action.

The PHD now also works with outside agencies that have similar interests and goals and has struck effective business partnerships with them.

Referring to the project, Dr. Kariyawasam said that the Healthy Schools project is aimed at helping children study in a conducive environment which will also enable teachers to carry out their task satisfactorily. The co-operation of all school's authorities is sought to help the PHD in its endeavour to achieve the highest standards within the criteria laid down for the purpose. "Children, parents and teachers need not suffer in silence. Let us all work together to make a real difference", he declared. "If we check up on schools, we do so as a matter of duty and not as a witch-hunt", says Dr. Kariyawasam. Referring to the participatory approach of the CMC in managing the affairs of the city, here too, the same approach of all the stakeholders is of vital importance, was the statement made in conclusion.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), Representative in Sri Lanka, Dr. Kan Tun, whilst lauding the project and endorsing the support and assistance of the WHO, recalled some of the problems faced by school children even during his time as a student.

However, today, the trend is so different and needs to be addressed in an appropriate manner to arrest the decline in the safety standards in schools. Dr. Tun not only emphasised the need for a clean environment or clean food and water but also for clean relationships amongst school children, children and teachers, parents and school authorities.

A Healthy School goes beyond an annual medical check-up of children. Children should be motivated towards a healthy way of life - from home to classroom and from the classroom to take their place in society. "Children should be empowered to face the risks and challenges they are bound to come across," he said.

Dr. Tun continued to stress on the changes in the socio-economic pattern and the changes in technology for which children have to be prepared. He also spoke at length on the social ills - tobacco, alcohol and drugs - the use or abuse that send youth downhill.

The increase in the use of alcohol and drugs, leads youth to violence - and little wonder then that 30-60 per cent of suicides are committed by those below 20 years. HIV, AIDS too is a major problem and children need to be educated, guided and protected, which schools can effectively do, he opined.

Interestingly, the WHO has a "Healthy City" project in Matale, a "Healthy District" project in Ampara - both of which are functioning smoothly and a "Healthy School" project in Colombo. Dr. Tun concluded by saying that we owe it to ourselves, our community and our country by supporting this venture of the PHD of the CMC as the outcome is going to be a "healthy girl/boy" who has been nurtured not only by the schools but also by all the partners involved - the education and health sectors along with civil society and business concerns.

Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam outlined how schools will be assessed and the marking system which will cover the following areas:

1. Healthy School Policy - 50 marks.

2. A Healthy Environment inside classrooms and buildings - 28 marks.

3. A clean and friendly outside environment - 22 marks.

Some aspects of the first are provision of facilities to children with impairment and disabilities, programmes to promote self-help activities, appropriate emergency medical care, methods to detect and monitor health problems and learning difficulties and a suitable system for referrals and counselling facilities.

It has been revealed that in certain schools, the seating arrangement in classrooms is rotated and the teachers consider this as fair, where all children, as a result, get the opportunity of sitting in the first row. Parents however, have complained that this seriously affects certain children. For example, a short child sitting in the last row is at a disadvantage and more so when a taller child is placed in the first row through this system of rotation. Similarly, a child with bad eyesight will need to strain to see the blackboard if through this system, is seated in the last row. Some children with physical disabilities also need to be seated comfortably and in close proximity to the blackboard. This methods therefore, is detrimental to children and school authorities have been advised not to shift children around at their whim and fancy.

The second deals mainly with cleanliness, disturbances, basic amenities like clean toilets and safe food and drinking water and adequate light and ventilation. Minimising noise disturbances is also another important aspect. The final area deals with clean outdoors, availability of safe playgrounds, there should be no mosquito breeding sites, no stray inside the premises and no unnecessary vehicles parked in the vicinity of the school. On satisfactory fulfilling of laid down criteria, schools will be certified as "healthy".

However, an aggregate of 80 per cent or more is required to be so certified.

(The presentations made by the eminent medical panel and the views of some of the schools representatives will be carried next week).

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