Health Promoting School ProjectHealth Promoting School Project

HEALTH PROMOTING HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOL PROJECTSCHOOL PROJECT

SHIHLOBYENI PRIMARY SCHOOLSHIHLOBYENI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Presenter: Ms T J MASHAMBA Presenter: Ms T J MASHAMBA Health Promotion Unit – School of Health Health Promotion Unit – School of Health

SciencesSciencesUniversity of LimpopoUniversity of Limpopo

Presentation prepared for : Presentation prepared for : HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOL HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOL

CONFERENCECONFERENCESeptember 13 – 16, 2006 September 13 – 16, 2006

IntroductionIntroduction

HPS is an internationally accepted program that has HPS is an internationally accepted program that has recently been established in South Africa. It is underpinned recently been established in South Africa. It is underpinned by health promotion philosophy which has five components by health promotion philosophy which has five components that together provide the basis for school health that together provide the basis for school health programs .These components are:programs .These components are:

• Development of the school as a supportive environment for Development of the school as a supportive environment for development of health attitudes and practices.development of health attitudes and practices.

• To develop personal skills of the learnersTo develop personal skills of the learners

Introduction cont.Introduction cont.

• Strengthening community action that involves the school and Strengthening community action that involves the school and the broader community in seeking ways to address collective the broader community in seeking ways to address collective health needs by accessing resources.health needs by accessing resources.

• Access to appropriate services to address the health needs of Access to appropriate services to address the health needs of the school communitythe school community

• Development of a school health policy which will direct the Development of a school health policy which will direct the school community to address health and learning needs.school community to address health and learning needs.

RationaleRationale

According to World Health Organization (WHO), the According to World Health Organization (WHO), the school health programs can increase the efficiency of school health programs can increase the efficiency of the educational system and reduce common health the educational system and reduce common health problems in a school setting. problems in a school setting.

The Health promoting school programs can further The Health promoting school programs can further advance advance public healthpublic health, , educationeducation and and social social economic developmenteconomic development. The global expansion of . The global expansion of school health programs , confirms the value placed school health programs , confirms the value placed internationally on such programs.internationally on such programs.

Rationale cont.Rationale cont.

The School health and nutrition services are the only health The School health and nutrition services are the only health services that specifically focuses on children in the six (6) services that specifically focuses on children in the six (6) to ten(10) years age range( WHO, 2003).to ten(10) years age range( WHO, 2003).

In recognition of this, the South African National In recognition of this, the South African National Department of Health incorporated school health services Department of Health incorporated school health services as a firm component of Primary Health Care package of as a firm component of Primary Health Care package of services that is to be fully implemented by the year 2006.services that is to be fully implemented by the year 2006.

Rationale cont.Rationale cont.

However, the success of a school However, the success of a school health program is dependent on the health program is dependent on the good co-ordination between the good co-ordination between the health and education sectors, the health and education sectors, the appropriate organization of the appropriate organization of the program and the ability to provide program and the ability to provide equitable services despite variations equitable services despite variations in local needs and resources.in local needs and resources.

Health Promoting SchoolHealth Promoting School ProjectProject::Shihlobyeni Primary SchoolShihlobyeni Primary School;;

This paper reports a case study of a This paper reports a case study of a school Health promotion intervention in school Health promotion intervention in operation since 1998.operation since 1998.

The school impact data involved The school impact data involved variables categorized into three areas: variables categorized into three areas: • School organizational factors supportive of School organizational factors supportive of

health promotion and health promotion and • Curriculum, teaching and learning.Curriculum, teaching and learning.• Partnerships and servicesPartnerships and services

MethodologyMethodology Two methods of analysis were used:Two methods of analysis were used:

• the direction of changethe direction of change• the magnitude of changethe magnitude of change

ResultsResults

• Results demonstrate that schools Results demonstrate that schools successfully made organizational changes successfully made organizational changes , such as the allocation of additional time , , such as the allocation of additional time , personnel and monetary resources, to personnel and monetary resources, to support health Promotion.support health Promotion.

• Students supervised projects can Students supervised projects can contribute to the strategies developed and contribute to the strategies developed and laid down by the Health care systemlaid down by the Health care system

The initial Picture of the Auditorium before The initial Picture of the Auditorium before Shihlobyeni was launched as a HPS 1998.Shihlobyeni was launched as a HPS 1998.

Health Promoting school Health Promoting school interventionintervention

The project at Shihlobyeni Primary School serves The project at Shihlobyeni Primary School serves as a model for rural schools wishing to develop as a model for rural schools wishing to develop into health promoting schools in South Africa and into health promoting schools in South Africa and the entire continent. It reflects the successful the entire continent. It reflects the successful application of theoretical concepts in a practical application of theoretical concepts in a practical and meaningful way. and meaningful way.

It is a project owned by the school and by the It is a project owned by the school and by the community, supported by the University of community, supported by the University of Limpopo Health Promotion Unit in the School of Limpopo Health Promotion Unit in the School of Health Sciences. Health Sciences.

It was able to establish its own identity at its It was able to establish its own identity at its own pace in collaboration with other stake own pace in collaboration with other stake holders.holders.

Shihlobyeni Primary School Shihlobyeni Primary School ProjectProject

This project has received recognition from several sources This project has received recognition from several sources in in Limpopo ProvinceLimpopo Province and is a model of transformation to and is a model of transformation to convert other schools to be health promoting school.convert other schools to be health promoting school.

Shihlobyeni is a Primary School founded in 1940 by Mrs Shihlobyeni is a Primary School founded in 1940 by Mrs Boristen. It was previously known as Boristen. It was previously known as Lemana Infant School.Lemana Infant School.

It served as a resource for teachers training practice area.It served as a resource for teachers training practice area.

In 1953 February, the school was relocated to Magangeni Village In 1953 February, the school was relocated to Magangeni Village at Elim next to Lemana Education Multi-purpose Centre and was at Elim next to Lemana Education Multi-purpose Centre and was upgraded to be a community school named upgraded to be a community school named Shihlobyeni Primary Shihlobyeni Primary SchoolSchool supervised supervised by by A E MpapeleA E Mpapele under Pietersburg School under Pietersburg School board.board.

The meaning of Shihlobyeni is: The meaning of Shihlobyeni is: ““The fountain of Knowledge”. The fountain of Knowledge”.

Vhembe District

SOUTH AFRICA

LOCATION

N

W

E

S

Shihlobyeni

Primary School

Limpopo Province

Magangeni Village forms Magangeni Village forms part of Ward 12 of Makhado part of Ward 12 of Makhado Municipality under the Municipality under the leadership of Chief T.J leadership of Chief T.J Mukhari of Njakanjaka clan.Mukhari of Njakanjaka clan.

The local community is The local community is situated on the Southern situated on the Southern part of Elim Hospital in part of Elim Hospital in Vhembe District, Limpopo Vhembe District, Limpopo Province.Province.Limpopo Province

Vhembe District

Shihlobyeni Primary schoolShihlobyeni Primary school

Needs assessmentNeeds assessment

In 1998, the educators observed a number In 1998, the educators observed a number of problems at school: of problems at school: • learners use to come to school with dirty learners use to come to school with dirty

clothes without bathing - lack of personal clothes without bathing - lack of personal hygienehygiene

• the school environment was not taken care of, the school environment was not taken care of, as papers were thrown all over the school yard, as papers were thrown all over the school yard, there was no proper refuse disposal,there was no proper refuse disposal,

• some children presented with sore and open some children presented with sore and open wounds which were not treatedwounds which were not treated

• health matters never formed part of the school health matters never formed part of the school agenda.agenda.

VisionVision

To make health accessible to To make health accessible to learners and the communitylearners and the community• The Vision on which the whole initiative The Vision on which the whole initiative

was based, means that Shihlobyeni is a was based, means that Shihlobyeni is a school in which health matters including: school in which health matters including: healthy childhood development, water healthy childhood development, water and sanitation, protection from injuries and sanitation, protection from injuries and abuses, nutrition and social welfare and abuses, nutrition and social welfare of the children are addressed.of the children are addressed.

AIM – (long term)AIM – (long term)

The overall aim of the project is to develop The overall aim of the project is to develop and sustain health promoting programmes and sustain health promoting programmes focusing on: focusing on: • tthe primary school in the context of the he primary school in the context of the

communitycommunity; ; curriculumcurriculum, , teaching and teaching and learninglearning , , organizationorganization and to create a and to create a supportive environmentsupportive environment for learning to take for learning to take place. place.

• Ensuring that the school environment reflects Ensuring that the school environment reflects

what is learnt in the class room.what is learnt in the class room.

Plan of action in 1998Plan of action in 1998

The educators consulted the nearby Hospital (Elim The educators consulted the nearby Hospital (Elim Hospital) for assistance regarding the problems Hospital) for assistance regarding the problems identified and how parents can be brought in to assist identified and how parents can be brought in to assist children with good personal hygiene.children with good personal hygiene.

The Hospital allocated Mr Paul Mthebule, an The Hospital allocated Mr Paul Mthebule, an Environmental Health Officer who was employed as a Environmental Health Officer who was employed as a Community Health worker, to address the issue;Community Health worker, to address the issue;

Mr Paul MthebuleMr Paul Mthebule was registered for a was registered for a Diploma in Health Diploma in Health Education and Promotion for PHCEducation and Promotion for PHC with the University of with the University of the North, now Known as the the North, now Known as the University of Limpopo -University of Limpopo -Turfloop campus. Turfloop campus.

Plan of action contPlan of action cont

He then made use of the opportunity to put theory He then made use of the opportunity to put theory into practice and initiate a Health Promoting School into practice and initiate a Health Promoting School at Shihlobyeni, using the learners personal hygiene at Shihlobyeni, using the learners personal hygiene as the entry point to address other problems at as the entry point to address other problems at school.school.

Supervised individual projects are meant for field Supervised individual projects are meant for field practice among registered students. After following practice among registered students. After following the guidelines as laid down by the WHO, Shihlobyeni the guidelines as laid down by the WHO, Shihlobyeni Primary school was launched as a health promoting Primary school was launched as a health promoting School in 2001School in 2001

Officials who attended the Officials who attended the launching of launching of Shihlobyeni Primary school 2001 from the Shihlobyeni Primary school 2001 from the

National and Limpopo provincial Dept of Health National and Limpopo provincial Dept of Health

Inter sectoral collaboration 2001Inter sectoral collaboration 2001

CollaborationCollaboration The collaborative The collaborative efforts from efforts from different sectors different sectors has made has made Shihlobyeni aShihlobyeni a health promoting health promoting school at this school at this point in time.point in time.

Community

Limpopo ProvincialDepartment of

Environmental Affairs

Limpopo ProvincialDepartment

Of Health

University of Limpopo

Elim Hospital

Health promotingschool initiative

SA Police

Pfuxanani NGO for Orphans

Elim Hospital

Care groups(Self Help Groups)

Limpopo Dept. of

Water Affairs

Univ. of LimpopoHealth

Promotion Unit

Read Project

Limpopo Dept. of

EnvironmentalAffairs

LimpopoProvincial

Dept of Health

Shihlobyeni Health

Promoting School

Increased number of Stake holders and departments over time depending on the needs

The total enrollmentThe total enrollment

GradeGrade LearneLearnersrs

EducatoEducatorsrs

Junior Junior phase 1 - phase 1 -

33

280280 88

Senior Senior phase 4 - phase 4 -

77

220220 8 8

TotalTotal 500500 1616

Learners and educators Learners and educators 20012001LearnerLearnerss

EducatorEducatorss

366366 1010

289289 10 10

655655 2020

Learners and educators 2006

57% are Girls

Shihlobyeni Primary School Shihlobyeni Primary School functional structurefunctional structure

School governing Body (SGB)

School management

teamSchool manager

Health Fund raising

School health club

CateringEnvironment

Curriculum Sports and

recreation

School development

team

Educators

Learners

Elim community

School committees

Long term objectivesLong term objectives

WELLBEING OF A CHILDWELLBEING OF A CHILD • promoting a rights–based, promoting a rights–based,

nurturing, caring, safe and nurturing, caring, safe and supportive environment for supportive environment for children, youth and staff.children, youth and staff.

LEADERSHIP AND EXCELLENCELEADERSHIP AND EXCELLENCE • promoting leadership potential, promoting leadership potential,

excellence, talents and excellence, talents and enhancing civic / community enhancing civic / community participation.participation.

Short term Goals and objectives planned 2004Short term Goals and objectives planned 2004

GOALGOAL

• To have an To have an auditorium auditorium wherein learners will wherein learners will experience and have experience and have first hand information first hand information from different from different professionals who visit professionals who visit the school regarding all the school regarding all matters related to matters related to healthhealth, , educationeducation and and development,development, with with separate compartments separate compartments which will serve as an which will serve as an administrative section, administrative section, store room and a sick store room and a sick bay.bay.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

• To build an auditorium To build an auditorium where in the learning where in the learning

experiences will be shared with experiences will be shared with other schools and visitors;other schools and visitors;

to support child to child learning to support child to child learning programmes;programmes;

to conduct workshops for to conduct workshops for teachers to improve skills; teachers to improve skills;

create a supportive environment create a supportive environment for the school and community to for the school and community to conduct meetings and other conduct meetings and other important gatherings .important gatherings .

to accommodate equipments to accommodate equipments and teaching aids received from and teaching aids received from donorsdonors

Short term ObjectivesShort term Objectives

• To addresses and integrate specific health To addresses and integrate specific health issues into co-ordinated programmes, issues into co-ordinated programmes, developing health literacy, life skills and to developing health literacy, life skills and to enhance the self concept of all learner; the enhance the self concept of all learner; the health of staff, parents and the wider health of staff, parents and the wider community through the existing structures community through the existing structures and functioning of the school.and functioning of the school.

• To integrates health promotion planning with To integrates health promotion planning with broader school planning and development.broader school planning and development.

PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTUREPHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AVAILABLEAVAILABLE

20042004 A small resource A small resource

centre also serving as centre also serving as a library, store room, a library, store room, school hall and school hall and auditorium where auditorium where visitors and students visitors and students are accommodated to are accommodated to observe health observe health promoting school promoting school activities displayed by activities displayed by learners. learners.

15 Class rooms (2004)15 Class rooms (2004) ToiletsToilets ElectricityElectricity Water supplyWater supply

20062006

New Block with 4 New Block with 4 class rooms class rooms increased the number increased the number from 15 to 20from 15 to 20

A fence A fence 4 more toilets4 more toilets

Vegetable gardens Vegetable gardens

Kitchen for nutrition Kitchen for nutrition ProjectProject

Community stadium Community stadium located nearbylocated nearby

Resources requiredResources required

Store room- Store room- High priorityHigh priority

Auditorium - Auditorium - High priority !High priority !

Offices /administration blockOffices /administration block

Science laboratoryScience laboratory

ComputersComputers

More teaching aidsMore teaching aids

Proper Health point- First Aid center or sick bay roomProper Health point- First Aid center or sick bay room

( List compiled by the Head Master and staff)( List compiled by the Head Master and staff)

Shihlobyeni ProjectShihlobyeni Project

The role of the school environment and school health education The role of the school environment and school health education impacts on the learning in the classroom and it focuses on impacts on the learning in the classroom and it focuses on impediments within the school environment. impediments within the school environment.

The relationship of Health Education with existing subjects in the The relationship of Health Education with existing subjects in the curriculum, are taken into consideration by educators. curriculum, are taken into consideration by educators.

The project also looks at the process of curriculum change; handling The project also looks at the process of curriculum change; handling “sensitive” subjects by sending educators for training and involving “sensitive” subjects by sending educators for training and involving parents and the wider community; parents and the wider community;

The role of parent teacher associations (PTAs), community-based The role of parent teacher associations (PTAs), community-based groups and the relationships between teachers and parents for the groups and the relationships between teachers and parents for the benefit of the learners is displayed by the collaborative effort in benefit of the learners is displayed by the collaborative effort in different activities like Nutrition Program where unemployed parents different activities like Nutrition Program where unemployed parents are responsible for cooking.are responsible for cooking.

The school environment; policies for health at school; the school as an The school environment; policies for health at school; the school as an example of good practice regarding water and sanitation, gardens and example of good practice regarding water and sanitation, gardens and nutrition, relationships and family life, administration of medicines e.g. nutrition, relationships and family life, administration of medicines e.g. de-worming forms the corner stone of services in the health promoting de-worming forms the corner stone of services in the health promoting school.school.

Shihlobyeni ProjectShihlobyeni Project The health promoting school addresses the needs of The health promoting school addresses the needs of

particular groups in schools including those with disabilities, particular groups in schools including those with disabilities, learning difficulties;learning difficulties;

Skills development : Skills development : • Skills acquisition by learners is ensured by communicating with Skills acquisition by learners is ensured by communicating with

children in class rooms and out-of-school settings.children in class rooms and out-of-school settings.• Teacher training takes the form of workshops, pre and in-Teacher training takes the form of workshops, pre and in-

service training. service training. Management and organizational activities:Management and organizational activities:

• The school management body plays an important role of The school management body plays an important role of improving the existing facilities by sending funding proposals improving the existing facilities by sending funding proposals to different potential funding bodies/ organisations.to different potential funding bodies/ organisations.

Planning, implementation and evaluation of health Planning, implementation and evaluation of health education and promotion activities in school settings is education and promotion activities in school settings is done by the Health committee and it ensures the success of done by the Health committee and it ensures the success of this initiative.this initiative.

Existing Programs and activitiesExisting Programs and activities

Child to child education programChild to child education program Nutrition ProgramNutrition Program Read projectRead project Food garden ProjectFood garden Project Parent educationParent education

School organization, ethos and environment

Curriculum, teaching and learning

Partnerships and services

Health promoting school policy, resource allocation, Staff health and welfare, caring ethos underpins social interactions, considers diversity, social justice principles, occupational health and safety.

Friendly waste disposal, cleanliness, shades, physical activity areas, passive recreation areas

Local health services contribute through :

screening, immunization, education of teachers

and parents, expert advice on

referral andpolicy development

Planned sequential Curriculum, Student centered

teaching, experiential learning, pre service and

in-service training,Health topics integrated

into other subjects

School community

3 main aspects of Shihlobyeni P. School

Recent programsRecent programs Child to child educationChild to child education Nutrition programNutrition program Cleaning campaign for school and Cleaning campaign for school and

surrounding areassurrounding areas HIV/AIDS campaigns by PLWAHIV/AIDS campaigns by PLWA Family life educationFamily life education Safety program by SA Police forceSafety program by SA Police force Sports and cultureSports and culture Fundraising Fundraising

Recent achievementsRecent achievements

Peer support :Meeting arranged on the Peer support :Meeting arranged on the 1919thth Sept. for 20 nearby schools to discuss Sept. for 20 nearby schools to discuss HPS initiative.HPS initiative.

Fund raising: A submission was made to Fund raising: A submission was made to erect a Cell C tower within the school yard erect a Cell C tower within the school yard which will generate 1,8 thousand /month. which will generate 1,8 thousand /month.

Sustainability : weekly teacher training Sustainability : weekly teacher training workshops workshops

Computer literacy project for orphans Computer literacy project for orphans sponsored by a nearby NGO.sponsored by a nearby NGO.

A sponsored borehole will be in place by A sponsored borehole will be in place by the end of 2006the end of 2006

Year end functions for Grade 7 at the Year end functions for Grade 7 at the University of Limpopo to motivate University of Limpopo to motivate learners.learners.

Lessons learnedLessons learned

School governance is importantSchool governance is important Self directed learning for learnersSelf directed learning for learners School support services School support services Home /school environment are addressedHome /school environment are addressed Peer support to other schools –Peer support to other schools – Integration of specific health issues into a Integration of specific health issues into a

coordinated program of developing health coordinated program of developing health literacy, life skills and self concept among literacy, life skills and self concept among learners.learners.

Lessons learned cont.Lessons learned cont.

It displays a school in the context of the local It displays a school in the context of the local community;community;

All aspects of the school are addressed by All aspects of the school are addressed by Shihlobyeni as a health promoting school Shihlobyeni as a health promoting school including:including:• Curriculum, teaching and learningCurriculum, teaching and learning• School organization and involvement of the communitySchool organization and involvement of the community• Environmental issues Environmental issues • Health issues are addressed by the use of existing Health issues are addressed by the use of existing

structures and the functioning of the school structures and the functioning of the school Comprehensive school planning including:Comprehensive school planning including:

• Integration of health promotion planning with broader Integration of health promotion planning with broader school planning and developmentschool planning and development

ConclusionConclusion

This project serves as model for rural This project serves as model for rural schools wishing to develop into a schools wishing to develop into a health promoting school in South health promoting school in South Africa. A health promoting school Africa. A health promoting school offers a proven opportunity to risk offers a proven opportunity to risk reduction among learners and reduction among learners and educators as well as the wider educators as well as the wider community.community.