Report of Seminar on School Health Programme

National Commission for Human Development
Provincial Office Lahore ,Punjab
REPORT OF
SEMINAR ON SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM
Held at Pearl Continental Hotel Lahore
ON
17 May 2011
Date 17th MAY 2011
VENUE: Crystal A Hall, Pearl Continental Hotel Lahore
Organized by: NCHD and UNESCO Pakistan
<strong>Report</strong>ed by
Muhammad Naveed Mughal –PCE

Our Esteemed Participants
Chief Guest
• Mr. Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rahman Hon’ble Minister for Education, Literacy,
Excise & Taxation and Transport Punjab
Guests <strong>of</strong> Honor
• Dr. Kozue Kay Nagata, Director, UNESCO.
• Mr. Zulfiqar Ahmed, Director General , NCHD
• Dr. Allah Bukhsh , Secretary Literacy, Punjab
• Mr. Muhammad Aslam Ch – DG Health Services Punjab
• Mrs. Aneela Akhter Ch ,Member <strong>of</strong> Provincial Assembly - MPA
• Mrs. Shagufta Sheikh, Member <strong>of</strong> Provincial Assembly - MPA
Presenters
• Mr. Zulfiqar Haidar, NPC, SHP
• Mr. Arshad Saeed, UNESCO
• Dr. Amjad Shahzad ,Additional Program Director ( PHSRP ) SHP
Representatives from Education & Health Department Punjab
• Secretary Literacy & Non Formal Education, Punjab
• Deputy Secretaries Health & Education
• Program Directors ,DHDC
• Deputy Directors
• Executive District Officers Health,
• Executive District Officers Education
• Representatives <strong>of</strong> Directorate <strong>of</strong> Staff Development – DSD
• Representative <strong>of</strong> Punjab Text Book Board
• District Officers Education ( EEM)
• District Officers Education ( EEW)
• Dy DEO Education (M&F)
• Health & Nutrition Supervisors (M & F)
Representatives from different Organizations & Departments
• Bunyad Literacy Community Council - BLCC
• Idar-e-Tallem-o-Agahi - ITA
• SAHE
• AMEN
• Punjab Education Sector Reforms
• Aghaz foundation
• AGHAHI

• AAS Foundation
• SPARC
• GIZ
• SUDHAR
• WOW
• UNESCO
• UNICEF
• PK Home Net
• Alliance Lahore
• Reps <strong>of</strong> Labor Department
• Reps <strong>of</strong> Social Welfare Department
• Reps <strong>of</strong> Social Work Department
Background
Schools are powerful places to shape the health, education and well-being <strong>of</strong> our
children. That is why the National Commission for Human Development School Health
Program supports more than 23266 schools across Pakistan in its efforts to create
environments where physical activity and healthy eating are accessible and
encouraged. Healthy students are better able to concentrate on their work, attend school
on a regular basis and perform better in class. Anyone can make a difference by joining
the Healthy Schools Program to find tools and strategies to promote physical activity and
healthy eating before, during, and after school.
National Commission for Human Development is one <strong>of</strong> those approaching organizations
who take up their steps for the betterment <strong>of</strong> the children’s health through School Health
Program. In Pakistan NCHD School Health Program was implemented in 16 Districts in
2005-2008. This program benefited 1.86 million students <strong>of</strong> 23266 primary schools <strong>of</strong>
these selected districts. In August 2007, NCHD launched Punjab Integrated Health Care
Model Program (PIPHCM) in 12 districts <strong>of</strong> Punjab in collaboration with Government <strong>of</strong>
Punjab. School Health Program was an integral part <strong>of</strong> PIPHCM Program.
UNESCO is one <strong>of</strong> the UN organizations with the mandate <strong>of</strong> mobilizing support for
SHP through advocacy and intends to extend technical assistance for widening scope <strong>of</strong>
SHP in Pakistan. Under the dynamic leadership <strong>of</strong> Madam Kozue Kay Nagata, UNESCO

is comprehensively and effectively engaged in getting the message conveyed to all stake
holders.
The main purpose <strong>of</strong> the seminar was to convey the message <strong>of</strong> SHPs importance as well
as its implementation and benefits.
Registration Desk
<strong>Seminar</strong> – Proceedings
A well equipped registration desk
was arranged at the entrance <strong>of</strong> Crystal-
A hall for registration <strong>of</strong> all participants.
A trained set <strong>of</strong> staff under able
leadership <strong>of</strong> Ms. Sara Anum was
available at the registration desk to
properly ensure the attendance and
registration <strong>of</strong> esteemed guests. This
staff was also responsible to properly
guide the guests according to the given
seating plan in seminar hall. Seating plan
was arranged according the invitee
departments for the ease <strong>of</strong> participants
as well as the presenters. Relevant
Material and Program schedule was also
given to all participants before seminar
started.
Mr. Muhammad Aslam Taqi (Stage Secretary) started the seminar according to the given
program. He shared the background <strong>of</strong> the
program brief and precisely after that he
invited Mr. Hafiz Muhammad Yaqub for
recitation form Holly Quran. Mr. Hafiz
Muhammad Yaqub recited few selected

verses which reflect rights <strong>of</strong> Education & Health and Respect for all human being. Mr.
Hafiz Muhammad Yaqub also translated the holly verses into English. After recitation,
stage secretary invited Mr. Muneef Malik – Director Operations Punjab for formal
welcome address to all honor able guests and esteemed participants.
Mr. Muneef Malik Director Operations Punjab – NCHD
Director Operations Punjab formally
welcomed all the participants. He said
Health & Education complement each other.
Quality <strong>of</strong> learning depends on the health
condition <strong>of</strong> students therefore school health
programs are now being integral part <strong>of</strong>
education system <strong>of</strong> developed and
developing countries. He coded the
reference <strong>of</strong> World Development Indicators
,2002 “ A child with some kind <strong>of</strong> learning disability is more likely to lose interest in studies,
show poor attendance ,achieve lower grades and ultimately drops out from school.” . He
further added that such children feel socially isolated and remained unhappy in the school.
Mr. Zulfiqar Haidar (National Program Coordinator – SHP, NCHD)
NPC School Health program gave a detailed
presentation on school health. He started his
presentation with the question that “CAN WE
GIVE CHILDREN A HEALTHY START” He
highlighted the health needs <strong>of</strong> our school going
children. He emphasized that health and
education are the basic ingredients <strong>of</strong> child
development and schools are the right place
where health and education sectors can work
together and achieve their objective. He
presented in detail the health needs like health education, health screening, and linkage with

health facilities, nutrition support, safe drinking water, sanitation etc. He also shared with the
participants the efforts <strong>of</strong> NCHD in school health Program all over the Pakistan.
Mr. Arshad Saeed Senior Education Specialist –UNESCO
Mr. Arshad Saeed first <strong>of</strong> all introduced the
UNESCO as specialized agency <strong>of</strong> UN
system for education, Social and Natural
sciences, culture information and
communication. He defined SHP as “ A
comprehensive set <strong>of</strong> planned ,sequential,
school affiliated strategies ,activities and
services designed to promote the optimal
physical ,emotional, social and educational
development <strong>of</strong> students.
He briefed about the visible benefits <strong>of</strong> SHP i.e Increase in admission and attendance ,
Reduction in drop out rates ,enhancement <strong>of</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> Education , improvement I health
condition <strong>of</strong> school children and an over all positive impact on health condition <strong>of</strong> local
community or society at large . He appreciated National Commission for Human
Development for doing a tremendous job as an important implementation partner for SHP
in Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab.
Mr. Amjad Shahzad, Additional Program Director SHP –PHSRP, Punjab
Mr. Amjad Shahzad shared that Punjab
Health Sector Reforms Program perceived
that Scholl Health Program can contribute to
improve, health, nutrition, learning
performance, increased school enrollment,
better hygiene practices in the community
and to achieve the millennium Development
Goals (MDGs)for health ,education and
child protection. He also shared that Govt <strong>of</strong>
Punjab took an initiative to launch SHP

under PHSRP and this program is fully operational in 32 districts <strong>of</strong> the Punjab. He
appreciated to NCHD & UNESCO for arranging an outstanding seminar on SHP.
Mr. Muhammad Aslam Ch – DG Health Services Punjab
DG Health Services Punjab shared that
WHO’s school health initiative launched
in 1995, seeks to mobilize and strengthen
health promotion and education activities
at the local, national, regional and global
levels. School health Program remained a
part <strong>of</strong> 7 th & 8 th five year plans. This
program is relevant to international
charters, Millennium Development Goals
and DAKAR Declaration. School Health Program and Health education appears on the
commitments <strong>of</strong> the governments as well as international agencies.
Mr. Zulfiqar Ahmed
Director General, NCHD
DG NCHD explained the major objective
<strong>of</strong> SHP is to demonstrate how “School
Health System” can be incorporated in
existing government health and education
structures. To Identify and correct health
problems that impede learning abilities <strong>of</strong>
school students. He shared achievements
<strong>of</strong> NCHD with regard to SHP
implementation, He covered the training
<strong>of</strong> master trainers, Teachers Training, Students screening in the field, identification and
referral <strong>of</strong> health problems, identification <strong>of</strong> weak eyesight cases and provision <strong>of</strong> eye
glasses to the victims.
DG NCHD also a brief but very effective and pertinent presentation about the overall
achievements <strong>of</strong> National Commission for Human Development in all core program

including school health.
wonderful seminar at Lahore
He appreciated the efforts <strong>of</strong> provincial team for organizing
Dr. Kozue Kay Nagata - Director UNESCO
Dr. Nagata shared the history and
evolution <strong>of</strong> SHP; she said that a number
<strong>of</strong> developed countries started including
health education into school curricula
during 19 th century. A more
comprehensive form <strong>of</strong> school health
program emerged in industrialized
countries during early part <strong>of</strong> 20th century.
Ms. Nagata also quoted the National
Education Policy (2009) Pakistan “School
Health Education shall be infused with in
the curricula and learning material with focus on improving school environment,
enriching health education contents, instituting regular mechanism for health screening
and health services <strong>of</strong> students and nutritional support to needy children. Ms. Nagata
emphasized on the strategy <strong>of</strong> UNESCO in detail. She appreciated the work <strong>of</strong> NCHD
regarding School Health Program .She committed her full cooperation with NCHD and
Education Department for the betterment <strong>of</strong> our healthy future which depends upon our
strong & healthy present. Director UNESCO congratulated Director Operations NCHD
Punjab and his team for organizing such a
mega event here at Lahore. She also
expressed her views regarding the variety
<strong>of</strong> participants (Health, Education, NGOs,
CBOs, Advocates, Lecturers, Public
representatives -MPAs and media People)
and thanked for their whole hearted
participation to make it a very big success.

Mr. Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rahman Minister for Education Punjab
The worthy Minister <strong>of</strong> Education
expressed Primary Education is the
birth right <strong>of</strong> every individual and
that it deserves maximum attention
and resources at all levels in
Pakistan. Our Government, along
with all stake holders <strong>of</strong> the
Province, is focusing at the
grassroots level so that the most
vulnerable and disadvantaged
could be educated. All efforts are directed to see that the children should not only have
access to at least primary education but should also be enabled to complete good quality
education. The major obstacles like poor enrollment, absenteeism, drop out and class
room performance is being tackled under the instructions <strong>of</strong> the Chief Minister. School
Health Program is one such program which, in my opinion, can contribute in making our
schools child friendly. We are committed to provide “Education for All” and “Health for
All”. I fully agree and endorse your slogan that “Health and Education go hand in hand”.
I feel that healthy children will be able to take full advantage <strong>of</strong> whatever the learning
opportunities are made available to them. School Health Program provides a unique
opportunity for both health and education sector to work. In Pakistan, Punjab is the only
province which has a well structured School Health Program under Punjab Health Sector
Reform Program
I shall like to make few recommendations
• There must be monitoring and reporting mechanism by Health department. I
would recommend that Education Department should also include School Health

Program indicators in their reporting formats so that the performance is to be
shared in the hierarchy <strong>of</strong> Education Department also.
• There should be periodic meeting between health and education department at an
appropriate level.
He appreciated efforts <strong>of</strong> NCHD in Education sector and expressed complete confidence
in UNESCO, NCHD and Punjab Government’s potentials and determination to achieve
the desired objectives.
Concluding Remarks
Mr. Col Muneef Malik - Director Operations NCHD Punjab
guests and all participants were served with lunch.
At the end Mr. Muneef Malik
Director Operation Punjab showed
gratitude to the honorable Chief
Guest “Mr. Mujtaba Shuja-ur-
Rahman Minister for Education
Punjab”, Guest <strong>of</strong> Honor from
UNESCO and all the participants
from NGOs & CBOs for their
valuable participation. After that
Press briefing by Minister after the SHP seminar
After the seminar
Minister gave a press briefing to
representatives <strong>of</strong> media from
several news papers and TV
channels. During press briefing,
while responding to a question,
Minister <strong>of</strong> education appreciated the
role NCHD in education sector. He
stated that with the help <strong>of</strong> NCHD

we will be able to achieve our enrollment objectives. He also shared with them the data
collection exercise jointly undertaken by NCHD, Unicef and School Education
Department.
Press Coverage