Government is strengthening efforts to improve the wellbeing of learners through a strategic partnership with Healthy Learners aimed at enhancing the School Health Programme and reaching three million pupils by 2028.
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and Healthy Learners signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Lusaka yesterday to formalise collaboration in integrating school health services into existing education and local governance systems. The partnership will also support the inclusion of school health infrastructure in Constituency Development Fund planning and resource allocation.
Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Mr Nicholas Phiri, signed on behalf of the Ministry, while Healthy Learners Deputy Chief Executive Director, Ms Angel Chelwa, represented the organisation.
Mr Phiri said school health programmes are critical in promoting learnersβ physical and social wellbeing, improving attendance and academic performance. He noted that local authorities have been mobilising resources and providing machinery for the construction of health rooms in schools in line with the Presidentβs call to improve access to quality education services. He commended Healthy Learners for supporting Governmentβs vision and strengthening coordination at community level.
Ms Chelwa said over 7,000 teachers have already been trained to implement the programme under the leadership of the Ministries of Education and Health, with a target of training more than 15,000 teachers by 2028.
