THE HEALTH THE HEALTH PROMOTING SCHOOLSPROMOTING SCHOOLS

INITIATIVE IN GAUTENG INITIATIVE IN GAUTENG PROVINCEPROVINCE

Presented by PAT BANDAPresented by PAT BANDAHPS conference 14 September 2006HPS conference 14 September 2006University of the Western CapeUniversity of the Western Cape

BackgroundBackground

There are There are 23002300 schools in Gauteng and of these schools in Gauteng and of these1429 1429 are primary schoolsare primary schools

Our problems are the same as everyone else’s Our problems are the same as everyone else’s problems: Bullying, violence, gambling, teenage problems: Bullying, violence, gambling, teenage pregnancy, malnutrition, etc.pregnancy, malnutrition, etc.

Background cont.Background cont.

No Health Promoting Schools have yet been launchedNo Health Promoting Schools have yet been launched

We have a number of schools that have gone it alone, We have a number of schools that have gone it alone, through sheer determination of their management. through sheer determination of their management. We salute their efforts and hope to certificate them We salute their efforts and hope to certificate them this year. this year.

Background cont.Background cont.

These schools are engaged in a number ofThese schools are engaged in a number ofhealth promotion projects such as:health promotion projects such as: Vegetable GardensVegetable Gardens Feeding Schemes and food parcels for learnersFeeding Schemes and food parcels for learners Collection of glass/paper/plastic for recycling and fund Collection of glass/paper/plastic for recycling and fund

raisingraising Scholar patrols and road safety Scholar patrols and road safety Water-saving schemes Water-saving schemes School safety programmesSchool safety programmes Physical activity projectsPhysical activity projects

Current situationCurrent situation

14 schools have been identified, in township and rural 14 schools have been identified, in township and rural areas, to pilot HPS with JICA funding, for 3 years areas, to pilot HPS with JICA funding, for 3 years from when the contract is signedfrom when the contract is signed

At least one of these schools falls into each of our 12 At least one of these schools falls into each of our 12 Education districtsEducation districts

No more than 4 schools fall into anyone of the 6 No more than 4 schools fall into anyone of the 6 Health districtsHealth districts

GAUTENG PROVINCEGAUTENG PROVINCE

...

. ..

..

..

. .. .

Current situation cont.Current situation cont.

A baseline study was conducted on 12 of the A baseline study was conducted on 12 of the 14 schools to highlight each one’s specific 14 schools to highlight each one’s specific strengths and needsstrengths and needs

Current situation cont.Current situation cont.

Planning has been finalised and Planning has been finalised and problems/needs are devided into 5 problems/needs are devided into 5 programmes:programmes:

1.1. Nutrition and Physical activityNutrition and Physical activity2.2. Safety and SecuritySafety and Security3.3. HIV/AIDSHIV/AIDS4.4. Hygiene and SanitationHygiene and Sanitation5.5. Access to servicesAccess to services

Current and future projectsCurrent and future projects

School Nutrition Program in partnership with DOLE South School Nutrition Program in partnership with DOLE South Africa and Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market from May Africa and Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market from May 2006 until March 20072006 until March 2007

Peer education is being looked into by Mr. S Masilela who Peer education is being looked into by Mr. S Masilela who spent 7 weeks in Japan sponsored by JICAspent 7 weeks in Japan sponsored by JICA

““Clean it up”Clean it up”(Environmental & Hygiene project focus on the promotion of (Environmental & Hygiene project focus on the promotion of clean env. Sanitation, water, etc….clean env. Sanitation, water, etc….

Private SchoolsPrivate Schools

A questionnaire was distributed to 300 private schools to A questionnaire was distributed to 300 private schools to assess their Health Promotion status.assess their Health Promotion status.

62 responded62 responded

The schools are being visited with the aim of supporting their The schools are being visited with the aim of supporting their health promotion initiatives and accrediting them when they health promotion initiatives and accrediting them when they are readyare ready

OpportunitiesOpportunities

Finally moving Finally moving Principals and educators are extremely keenPrincipals and educators are extremely keen Chief Director at GDE has been assigned to Chief Director at GDE has been assigned to

ensure cooperationensure cooperation JICA focus a great amount of time and money JICA focus a great amount of time and money

on educational and learning materialon educational and learning material

ConstraintsConstraints

BudgetBudget

We are going to have to do a lot with a little We are going to have to do a lot with a little after the 14 school are launchedafter the 14 school are launched

Thank youThank you