School health and nutrition

Mariecel E. Pineda

THE Department of Education (DepEd) has underscored the importance of the distribution of health services in schools.

The agency said DepEd’s health programs are primarily directed towards providing and strengthening health and nutrition education, and the delivery of health services with priority given to vulnerable learners and those needing emergency care in schools.

Recently, DepEd led the discussion of the comprehensive direction of school health and nutrition in the context of the department’s overall education agenda in a congress that gathered health and education experts in the country.

With the theme: “Empowering Schools through the Convergence of Health and Nutrition Programs,” the congress showcased practices on school-based convergence of health and nutrition programs.

Meanwhile, the Oplan Kalusugan or OK sa DepEd encapsulates all the major health-related programs implemented in schools. It promotes and provides all learners and DepEd personnel with the sustainable, holistic school health and nutrition program geared towards healthier behaviors and better learning outcomes.

Launched on December 2017, the OK sa DepEd Program unifies the health plans, policies, programs, and activities of the department and ensures all students avail basic primary health and dental care.

The program was fully implemented during the start of the school year 20182019, in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), local government units (LGUs), and various stakeholders at the local and national levels.

OK sa DepEd also ensures wellness of DepEd personnel through the provision of basic medical care for better productivity. It promotes a wellness program to help teachers attain a healthy work and life balance, given the challenges of their profession.

The author is Teacher I at Tabing Bakod Elementary School, Santa Maria,

Bulacan