GEORGE NEWS - The school health team of the George sub-district recently conducted an outreach programme at six primary schools in the area, reaching 683 children.
Their aim was to raise awareness among learners, teachers and parents about the importance of washing hands, and oral and personal hygiene during Health Promoting School (HPS) Week from 14 to 18 May.
An HPS is a place where the school and community work, learn, play and live together to promote the health and well-being of learners, staff, parents and the wider community. Western Cape Government Health in Eden has identified five schools across the district (one school for each sub-district) and has established health programmes there to address specific health needs within the community of those schools.
The HPS concept provides the basis for the spreading of health ideas and practices from the school to the community.
Learners watched a demonstration in washing hands and brushing teeth. A poster presentation was also done to inform them about the clinical features and treatment of scabies.
Robert Draai, Touwsranten Primary School principal, said the programme has a positive effect on their learners and helps to improve learner performance.
Most schools experience a wide range of health problems. Some of these lie within the school itself. Others are problems in the surrounding community, which impact on the school environment and on the health of learners and staff.
This programme does not replace existing programmes in the school or community, but rather facilitates cooperation on specific goals.
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