Milestones, initiatives to support learners’ welfare

Jehrome Mel C. Alcaraz

All learners and Department of Education personnel must be provided with maximized opportunities to holistic school health and nutrition services, especially the provision of basic medical, dental, and nursing care, through the leadership of health personnel in close collaboration with partners and stakeholders at the school level.

The recent One Health Week conducted before the school opening highlighted Oplan Kalusugan sa DepEd (OK sa DepEd) milestones and initiatives to support learners’ welfare.

Carrying the theme “Bayanihan para sa Kalusugan, OK sa DepEd sa Paaralan, at sa Tahanan”, the week-long celebration conducted from September 6 to 11 emphasized how partnerships for school health are essential to support the new school year which will remain under the “new normal” setup.

Spearheaded by the Bureau of Learner Support Services-School Health Division (BLSS-SHD), key updates and initiatives were unveiled in support of the six flagship programs under OK sa DepEd, an initiative launched in 2018 to facilitate the convergence of these programs for their effective implementation especially at the school level.

A total of 1,869 school and medical clinics in select central elementary schools were launched [Medical, Dental, and Nursing Services]. The School-Based Feeding Program will also continue, targeting 3.5 million learners [Kindergarten learners and undernourished learners from Grade 1 to Grade 6]. Virtual activities were also held in central, regional, and division offices featuring different programs of OK sa DepEd including Water, Sanitation and Hygiene or WASH in Schools (WinS), along with School Mental Health, Adolescent Reproductive Health, and National Drug Education Program.

One Health Week also featured the launch of the WinS Program’s Seal of Excellence Award 2021 to recognize schools that have met global standards and maintained crucial indicators in the implementation of the program for at least three consecutive years.

Meanwhile, officials emphasized the importance of promoting and ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of learners in the preparation for a safe return to classes.

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The author is Administrative Aide I at Marcelo H. Del Pilar National High School