PRESIDENCY SCHOOLS AS HEALTH-PROMOTING SCHOOL

 

A Dream Realized

“We achieve our greatest happiness when we realize ourselves through others. Equally, we need to reaffirm our commitment to cultural and socio-economic diversity from which children enter into the portals of the school.” — Rabindranath Tagore

“Health Promoting Schools are schools which display and support the commitment to enhance the emotional, social, physical and moral well-being of their school community” (WHO).

Schools play a pivotal role in the holistic development of children, shaping them into competent adults who contribute meaningfully to society. Health is a cornerstone of a child’s overall development, and education serves as a key determinant of health. Most children spend a significant portion of their lives in school, dedicating 6-7 hours daily to this environment. Beyond academics, the school curriculum profoundly influences health-promoting behaviors. Schools, with their structured environment and governance, provide an excellent platform for implementing intervention programs. They significantly impact the thinking patterns and behaviors of children, their families, and the broader community. When teachers actively participate in school health programs, interventions can positively affect generations of students. Parents, too, gain additional resources to support health promotion within schools.

Key Steps in Developing Presidency Schools as Health Promoting Schools

1. Engaging health and educational officials, teachers, students, parents, and community leaders in efforts to promote health in schools.
2. Providing a safe and healthy environment, both physically and psychosocially.
3. Delivering effective skill-based health education and life skills training.
4. Offering access to health services for children and adolescents.
5. Implementing school policies and practices that support health.

Safety Perspectives in Schools

“I have the right to be myself and to have the freedom to learn, work, and play without having my heart, my head, or my body hurt.”— Christina Mattise

The transition of children into formal schooling is often an emotional milestone for parents. Recognizing the significant role an educational institution plays in a pupil’s life, parents entrust schools with the responsibility of shaping their children. For parents and society at large, a school is not just a building but a nurturing environment that molds students into enlightened and successful individuals by the end of their educational journey.

Given the immense trust and faith placed in schools, it becomes their responsibility to provide an environment conducive to the all-around development of every child. Such an environment should enable students to achieve their maximum potential academically, personally, and socially. While imparting education is the primary function of schools, academic success is closely intertwined with students’ physical, mental, and psychological well-being. A child cannot excel in academics if they feel unsafe or threatened. Traumatic experiences at school can have lasting adverse effects on a child’s life.

Unfortunately, schools have not always been the safe havens they are meant to be. While threats to physical safety are often the most visible, emotional and psychological well-being are equally critical. Ensuring school safety requires more than addressing physical safety concerns; it also involves fostering a nurturing emotional environment where growth and development can thrive. A sense of belonging, self-esteem, and acceptance gained from a supportive emotional atmosphere significantly impacts a child’s success and achievements.

In response to the alarming increase in incidents that compromise school safety, Presidency Schools prioritize addressing safety concerns. The first step involves identifying areas and factors that pose risks to student safety. This process encompasses both internal and external threats to the school environment. The overarching goal is to create an environment free from real or perceived dangers.

Years of experience as educators and administrators have given us insights into various factors that can jeopardize safety and hinder development. While safety concerns can vary between schools, certain broad measures are universally applicable. We have outlined some critical strategies to counter these threats and foster a safe, conducive learning environment.

Surendra Singh Shekhawat

Head of Administration & Sports

Contact Number: 9871903190

Email:     admin@presidencyschoolajmer.com