Brief Summary
This video discusses the Kenya comprehensive school health policy established in 2018 and currently under review to align with government priorities for learner health, universal health coverage, and economic transformation. It highlights the policy's holistic approach, key pillars, and positive impacts on student well-being, education outcomes, and community involvement. The policy addresses critical areas such as hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, and mental health, aiming to create healthier learning environments and improve student attendance and retention.
- The Kenya comprehensive school health policy is guided by five interlin pillars that capture the entireity of the health needs of the learners.
- The policy has led to improvements in access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in schools, reducing waterborne illnesses.
- The Ministry of Public Health encourages schools to establish hygiene champions to promote basic cleanliness and health practices.
Introduction to Kenya's School Health Policy
The Kenya comprehensive school health policy, established in 2018 and currently under review, guides school health in Kenya. This review aims to align with the government's prioritization of learner health to accelerate universal health coverage and the bottom-up economic transformation agenda. The policy adopts a holistic approach to enhance the well-being of learners, guided by evidence-based practices for sustainable school health interventions.
Key Pillars of the School Health Framework
The school health framework is anchored on five interlinked pillars addressing the comprehensive health needs of learners. These pillars include equitable school health policies that mainstream special needs and disabilities, skill-based health education, and social behavior change communication. Social behavior change is critical, especially for young learners, given mental health issues and drug use prevalence among Kenyan youth aged 15 to 35. The framework also encompasses school-based health and nutrition services, aligning with Kenya's Vision 2030, including the provision of meals and hygiene education.
Hygiene and Sanitation Focus
A key focus of the framework is on personal and environmental hygiene, water, and sanitation, particularly for socioeconomically disadvantaged and nutritionally vulnerable children in semiarid lands and informal urban settlements. The Ministry of Health is committed to engaging and enhancing school health programs through the Public Health Department. This includes investing in essential infrastructure and supplies, such as sanitation facilities, and promoting basic hygiene practices like handwashing and body cleanliness.
Promoting Health Education and Mental Well-being
The policy aims to standardize and mainstream health education and social behavior change communication in schools, delivering objective education. Addressing mental health issues among school children is crucial to prevent challenges as they grow up. Early intervention and support are essential components of the comprehensive approach.
Positive Impacts of the School Health Policy
Since its introduction, the Kenya comprehensive school health policy has positively impacted student well-being, education outcomes, and community involvement. Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in schools has greatly improved, reducing waterborne and hygiene-related illnesses. School-based deworming, vaccination, and hygiene campaigns have led to healthier students with improved school attendance. Addressing health issues like malnutrition and disease prevention has resulted in better enrollment and attendance, with girls benefiting from menstrual hygiene support, leading to improved attendance and retention.
Call to Action: Hygiene Champions in Schools
The Public Health Department challenges schools to create public health or hygiene champions, similar to champions in other subjects. This initiative aims to reinforce basic cleanliness, handwashing, proper infrastructure, and safe water consumption. Ensuring food hygiene is a priority at both school and home to prevent waterborne and other preventable diseases.
