ORIENTATION OF PRINCIPALS, HEADMASTERS & HEAD TEACHERS ON SCHOOL HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAMME FOR KOHIMA DISTRICT

Orientation program of Principals, Headmasters and Head Teachers on School Health & Wellness Programme under Ayushman Bharat for the district of Kohima kick started on the 16th of March 2021 at the SIEMAT Hall, SCERT, Kohima.

            Prior to the commencement of the Orientation a short inaugural session was held with Shanavas C. IAS, Principal Director, School Education as the Special Guest. Addressing the participants present, Shanavas, expressed his contentment on the convergence program, which has been a long awaited event and could not be materialized the previous year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  He also highlighted on the existing scenario which is the dire need of the Students viz their Health & Wellness, the normal physical health which is Communicable & Non Communicable diseases and the most important issue is their Mental Health. Shanavas also emphasized on the importance of counseling in the School as the children comes from different economic, social status and thus undergo different psychological experiences. He also stressed on the need to address the substance abuse issues among the student group, and then their nutritional needs and also sexual health as this age group are most vulnerable age group.

            Shanavas mentioned that, such kind of convergence programs let us realize the positive impact of converging among the allied Departments and that, this comprehensive program should not concentrate only at the State or district level but should also trickle down till the block/ village level. He appealed to the participants present to be an exemplary human being, as students try to emulate their teachers in many cases.

            Dr.Khriesilie Sachü, Nodal Officer, School Health Programme (SHP), Department of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland, while giving an introduction of the programme stated that, it envisage to facilitate an integral approach to Health Programming and more effective learning at the school level. Dr.Khriesilie also mentioned that, school plays a crucial role in helping students establish healthy behavior for their lifetime and keeping this in mind, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Human Resource & Development, GoI has taken initiative to address the need for comprehensive preventive and promotive health education programme at school. He added that two teachers from each school will be trained as “Health & Wellness Ambassadors”, who will impart health & wellness education to the students. The students will then act as health & wellness messenger in the society and will work on improving health practices in their community.  The inaugural program was chaired by Kenilo Semp, Sr. Lecturer DIET and vote of thanks delivered by Visedeü Solo, Lecturer DIET.

            The inaugural programme was followed by Orientation of the School Principals and Head Masters and the Training of the Head Teachers will commence from 17th to the 20th March 2021. This is been jointly organized by the Department of Health & Family Welfare and Department of School Education, Nagaland with Sony Katiry, Lecturer, DIET Pfütsero, Phek, Dr.Anile Puro, Sr.Lectrurer, DIET Pfütsero, Phek, Visede-ü Solo, Lecturer, DIET, Chiechama, Kohima and Kenilo Semp, Senior Lecturer, DIET, Chiechama, Kohima as the Resource persons with two mentor from SCERT. AYUSHMAN Bharat- School Health & Wellness Programme has been launched in a phase wise manner in the district of Kohima, Kiphire and Peren District in the first phase and the remaining Districts will be covered in the coming days.

                                                                                                (DIPR)