Health Update: School Health and Wellness Programme – What Experts Say

To address these issues holistically, the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare jointly developed the SHWP, which was launched by the Hon’ble Ministers of Education and Health in February 2020. The programme envisages two teachers in each school designated as ‘Health and Wellness Ambassadors/Coordinators’, who will conduct age-appropriate and culturally sensitive prevention and promotion activities in classrooms to improve the health and well-being of learners. 

The SHWP covers 11 themes – Growing up healthy: Emotional well-being and mental health, Interpersonal relationships, Values and citizenship, Gender equality, Nutrition, health and sanitation, Prevention and management of substance abuse, Promotion of healthy lifestyles, Reproductive health and HIV prevention, Safety and security against violence and injuries and Promotion of internet safety and responsible social media behavior. 

For successful implementation of the SHWP, a resource package including a 24-hour curriculum, training modules for teachers, animation videos and facilitators guide was prepared by NCERT in consultation with UN agencies and other domain experts. 

UNESCO held sensitization sessions for 17 CBSE Centres of Excellence (CoEs). UNESCO conducted focused sensitization sessions in 2022 and 2023, for principals and these were aimed to strengthen their capacity to effectively implement educational programmes in schools under their jurisdiction.