NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, FEB 12
The government will soon have a structured health and wellness programme for government and government-aided school students across the state.
The programme will cover several aspects ranging from emotional well-being to gender sensitivity, said Commissioner for School Education Sigy Thomas Vaidhyan here on Tuesday.
On the sidelines of an official function, the Commissioner said the curriculum framework for the programme, which has been drawn up by NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) in collaboration with UNESCO and other experts from across the country, will focus on the physical and mental health and well being of students and also focus on gender sensitivity, safe internet use and prevention of substance abuse among other aspects.
The state is moving towards an inclusive curriculum where students are exposed to a balanced education system. Education is moving towards learning outcomes and this programme will ensure a more holistic and well-rounded experience for students, the Commissioner added.
The School Education Department plans to introduce one hour every week for students from classes 6 to 11 from the coming academic year for the health and wellness program.
Minister for School Education K.A. Sengottaiyan launched a tool kit for the program on Tuesday, and inaugurated an orientation session for district level officials and DIET (District Institute of Education and Training) principals from across the State. On Wednesday, the Union Ministry of Health released the facilitator guide, training material and curriculum for the programme.
School Education Secretary Dheeraj Kumar stressed the importance of a sustained effort to be taken to ensure that students go through an all round development.
Nearly 26,000 teachers from across the State will be trained for the effective implementation of the Health and Wellness programme.
Two teachers from each school will be chosen as the “Health Ambassadors’’ and they will then take this forward to the students, an official said.
Officials participated in discussions about issues and concerns of adolescents in Tamil Nadu and how the school health programme can be implemented to address them during an orientation programme.
