Health subject to be re-introduced to G.C.E. (O/L): Minister

The main purpose of making the subject of Health compulsory at G.C.E. (O/L) was to save the student population of 4.5 million from Non Communicable Diseases (NCDS) and inculcate health habits among the young generation, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday.

He added that building a health-conscious student population will contribute to raising a healthier nation.

Minister Kariyawasam said the Cabinet approval has already been granted to make Health a compulsory subject at the G.C.E. (O/L) in addition to language, mathmatics and religion.

“The NDC is the newest threat to mankind and it will become the number one killer in the next couple of years bypassing heart failure, diabetes and smoking. The latest data available in Sri Lanka says 75% of deaths occur due to NCD. A study also says that Sri Lankans eat fewer vegetables and less fruits. It further says that 44% of women do not engage in enough physical activities of exercise. That is why it is extremely important to create an awareness among schoolchildren on health, health habits, prevention of diseases and healthier life,” Minister Kariyawasam stressed.

In Sri Lanka, 33% of schoolgoing children are obese and 4.5% of them are stunted and the numbers are growing, Minster Kariyawasam said.

The NDC is the newest threat to mankind and it will become the number one killer in the next couple of years bypassing heart failure, diabetes and smoking

He said the subject of Health is taught only up to grades 6 to 9 right now, and teaching the subject of Health up to G.C.E. (O/L) and making it compulsory will achieve the desired results.

Minister Kariyawasam pointed out that a new syllabus on the subject of Health would be introduced when the next school syllabus and curriculum review are made earlier and added that the committee of eminent educationists had also recommended that the subject of Health must be made compulsory at the G.C.E. (O/L) as students could create an awareness and interest on healthier life not only among themselves but also among parents.