Dhaka: The government has taken initiatives to expand health services to ensure the physical and mental well-being of students as well as teachers of government primary schools across the country and to build a healthy future generation. Under the new programme, students will receive primary healthcare and nutrition counselling directly from their schools.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has recently prepared a new framework on health protection for primary school teachers and students and sent it to the Health Services Division for implementation. Rowshan Ara Poli, Deputy Secretary of the Primary and Mass Education Ministry, stated that the programme aims to expand health services for students and teachers of government primary schools and has been forwarded to the Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The Health Services Division is tasked with implementing these programmes at the field level through its respective offices. Earlier, in a letter sent to the Health Services Division on December 17, the ministry proposed a set of new measures to enhance students’ health awareness, disease prevention, and the quality of primary healthcare. Once approved by the Health Services Division, implementation will begin at the grassroots level.
Alongside existing programmes such as deworming tablets, Vitamin A capsules, and routine immunisation, regular health monitoring will be ensured at every school. The new framework includes proposals for supplying each primary school with improved first-aid boxes, height and weight measuring devices, blood pressure monitors, and blood sugar testing equipment.
There are also plans to distribute posters and leaflets containing age and weight-based balanced diet charts to help improve students’ dietary habits. The framework highlights special support for safeguarding the adolescent health of girl students. Priority-based or low-cost treatment at government hospitals for students or teachers suffering from chronic diseases has been emphasised.
In addition, regular awareness workshops to improve students’ mental health and special training for teachers on “Health and Education” have been proposed. Rowshan Ara Poli added that alongside ensuring quality education, the physical and mental well-being of students is essential. Building a healthy generation through safe water, improved sanitation, and nutrition education is the government’s core objective. She mentioned that as a result, student attendance at schools will increase, and the dropout rate will decline significantly.