Archives

by Fathima Razik Cader

When the Healthy Schools Project was conceived, planned and launched by the Public Health Department (PHD) of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), the overall outcome of the project could not be predicted. This being a pilot project and brainchild of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam, the efforts to 'market' the idea were manifold. And all the hard work and dedication of the PHD and its officers have paid dividends.

The idea of Healthy Schools, 'planted' on the 24th February, 2003 (when it was officially launched), has germinated and now has sprouted into a healthy trend. From the very outset, the response was encouraging. If at any point in time there was any trepidation as to how the principals, teachers, children and parents would have responded to the idea, such feelings were laid to rest no sooner than they were felt.

At every workshop or seminar held to promote the concept, the pro-active participation of schools showed that the concept was excellent and therefore the response was positive.

In the three months since the launch, most schools have started "Healthy Clubs' and are diligently attending to their needs with the co-operation of teachers and parents. For a start, schools have assessed their strengths and weaknesses and the information collated by the PHD, gives an insight of the needs of each school.

Questionnaire

The questionnaire covered the following areas - Policy Formation, Psychosocial Development, Promote Recycling, Emergency Medical Care, Food Hygiene and Clean Canteen, Safe Playground and Control of Pests and Stray Animals. Additionally, schools could also highlight any other area that needs attention.

The remarks made in response to the questionnaire, highlighted the many shortcomings that most schools faced. For example, some have requested Psychiatrists and Counsellors to visit their schools on a regular basis to discuss psychological problems. A startling fact is that some schools want professional help to combat the problems created by parents who are drug addicts. One school specifically states that an urgent need is a peaceful home environment for mothers. Such answers to questions where an opportunity to open up and state what has been preying on young minds is taken, could perhaps be considered cathartic.

A dire need in this regard is for trained Counsellors to be on hand and perhaps, school teachers so trained, could certainly fit the bill. But to make this possible, time and money are important and the question that arises is - 'who would be willing to give of both?'

Recycling has been an area that has generated much interest and enthusiasm. Whilst some schools are actively into recycling, many who lack the know-how and the finances have requested advice on how to effectively implement such a programme. This is an area that needs to be encouraged in order that students could be made to realise the importance of this exercise. In effect, it could be a money-spinner as is the case in developed countries. Who then would be willing to come forward and make a positive contribution towards this healthy promotion - that of recycling in all schools?

Emergency and Medical Care, as important as Psychosocial Development, is also highlighted as (sadly) lacking in many schools. To think that the smallest school (with around 500 students) may perhaps have just one first-aid box with some basic medical needs is anything but healthy. Although most schools might have a well-stocked first-aid box, the pertinent question is, how many schools have teachers who are competently trained to handle a crisis situation?

A child with a fracture (after a fall) needs to be so handled in order that the injury sustained is not further aggravated through (well-meaning) mishandling before being taken to a hospital.

It has been stressed that school authorities have to take on the responsibility of ensuring that some of the staff, in proportion to the number of students on roll, are fully trained to step in when the need does arise.

Who is going to take on the responsibility and thereby make this a reality if not sooner, at least within a reasonable period of time?

The area of Good Hygiene and Clean Canteens is the sole responsibility of the school authorities. Outside caterers who run canteens or provide food should be mindful that the health of school children should in no way, be compromised.

Whist one accepts that any caterer is justified in making profits, the onus lies on the caterer to ensure that the quality of the food supplied is maintained. As most mothers are employed, the little time available is considered precious and parents wish to spend such quality time with their children by talking and interacting with them. Preparing food instead is not considered as that important.

Therefore breakfast is invariably via the school canteen. Some mothers interviewed on this subject were very concerned that the schools their children attend pay scant regard to the quality of the food available in the canteens. Some added that though they provide a snack, children still want pocket money to spend in school. They said that this topic has come up for discussion and meetings of the School Development Society but very little has been done to ensure that good standards are maintained.

Another issue that is worrying many parents is the promotions done by various food manufacturers - especially those who want to make a fast buck selling fast food. Add to that the many bottled drinks that contain artificial flavours and pass off as fruit drinks and fizzy drinks that are labelled 'fruit flavoured' when in fact they are not, and the result is certainly food for thought (no pun intended).

Who then is going to 'bell the many 'cat'erers and manufacturers who display such callous disregard to the health of the present school children, who in all probabilities may be the leaders of our country in a few years?

And finally, the Control of Stray Animals and Pests - the dogs and cats in addition to flies, geckoes, cockroaches and rats, all happily thriving in most schools especially so in canteens and around garbage bins. This is a constant nightmare during daytime - when schools are in session. In view of the many classrooms, toilets and large open spaces, it is no mean task to contain and then eliminate this serious health hazard.

As to who is willing to help schools to tackle this hazard? is the 'million rupee' question. Policy Formation and Safe Playgrounds are sole responsibilities of the school authorities.

In respect of the questions highlighted in this article, how many would be genuinely concerned, interested or magnanimous enough to extend a helping hand to schools, which for the better part of the day, protect, nurture and educate our children - rich or poor, who as exemplary citizens of Sri Lanka, may one day stand up and say 'Thank you for what you did for us when we needed it most' - or who may one day say 'Where were you when we needed you most?'

The choice is ours - it's now or never!

www.crescat.com

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager