Tuvaruhu School in Central Honiara has joined other Honiara City Council operated schools to receive a billboard as part of promoting health.
The ‘Health Promoting School’ concept is an international movement.
Significant international evidence indicates that education and health are closely related as health affects the capacity to learn, while learning provides necessary information and skills on healthy lifestyle choices.
Mayor Alference Fatai in his keynote remarks said, the concept is not an additional component to the curriculum but is rather a model or framework that seeks to support and build on the good work already happening in schools.
“Many schools are operating under demanding conditions and unsafe environments.
“This concept seeks to assist schools to be happy, healthy and provide a safe environment in which people can work and learn,” Mr Fatai said.
The Mayor added that the concept is about all areas of school life that affect the health and well being of students, staffs and parents.
“The total school commitment approach of the Health Promoting School is effective in that it creates a healthy working environment and culture which supports the mental, social environment, spiritual and physical health of all community members,” he said
The Major said, this is also aligned with the 7 meter by law which the Council under his leadership is implementing.
In response, the Principal of Tuvaruhu school Hilda Takarobo thanked the Mayor, HCC Health and education divisions, the New Zealand Government and the Ministry of Health for the support towards the Healthy School concept.
“We are so thankful to be selected amongst others to be part of the health promoting school and the launching marks an impotent event in the lives of our students.
“Indeed there is a need for our children to improve on making healthy choices for them,” Ms Takarobo said.
Out of 10 schools only 3 came up with a school action plan for the Health Promoting school concept which Tuvaruhu is one of them.
The Billboard is funded by the Honiara Economic Development Support Program under HCC.
– By Kadiba Alu
HCC Media
