How-to Guide: Child-Led School Health Education Programs

Published by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), this guide explores the ways that children can be mobilised as leaders in the effort to create more healthy school environments and communities. The guide does not only looks at activities to ensure a sound body, but outlines how shifting the focus of efforts and resources from adults to children can have a far greater impact on both children and adults, in the present and, most importantly, for the future. According to the guide, a child’s health status is a major determinant in whether or not she/he will succeed in school. Reducing environmental threats to health and promoting healthy behaviours can positively impact attendance and achievement at a school. The guide also describes the need for effective partnerships among schools, community groups, and ministries and other government service providers. These are important to leveraging the enthusiasm of the students for school health and creating a foundation for long term sustainability.

The guide includes of the following chapters:

• Why school children?
• How to spark children's interest in starting a club
• Establishing partnerships
• Involving children in the start-up and governance of clubs
• Success stories of child participation
• Building sustainability in CRS/Ghana's school health program
• Monitoring of projects and activities
• Content of training programs
• Challenges facing school health clubs and suggestions for improvement