What have we done?

We have developed Knowledge and Skill  Standards for Health Education of Indian students.

In order that children develop and maintain healthy behaviours, we need to provide students with knowledge and help them develop healthy behaviour skills. These are addressed in the Health Education Standards. Standards in other countries were reviewed to develop these standards. They are designed for Indian youth. They provide the framework for the curriculum development, instruction and student assessment. 

Knowledge standards:

 Students will comprehend:

1. What is health and the reason why it is important to have good health. 

2 .Various types of diseases and injuries.  

3. The modifiable behaviours like diet and exercise and non-modifiable factors like genes that impact health.

4. Concepts related to each health topic. 

Skill Standards: 

Students  will demonstrate the ability: 

1. To set overall personal health goals. 

2. To use decision making and personal communication skills to improve health.  

3 .To analyze the influence of family, peers and media on health behaviours. 

4. To incorporate health enhancing behaviours in their daily lives. 

5. To be an advocate and help improve the health of others.Say something interesting about your business here.If customers can’t find it, it doesn’t exist. Clearly list and describe the services you offer. Also, be sure to showcase a premium service.

The following books have been written in English and Hindi and have been printed. The funding for these  books was provided by a District Grant from Rotary Club of Canon CIty. Our National Stategic Knowledge Partner was Dr.J.S.Thakur, who is on our Board. 

The books are:

1. “On the way to being Healthy”. Workbook for Class VI
2. “On the way to being Healthy”. Teacher’s Manual for Class VI
3. “On the way to being Healthy”. Workbook for Class VII
4. “On the way to being Healthy”. Teacher’s Manual for Class VII

Following is the list of chapters in each book. They cover topics relating to Physical, Mental and Social Health.
What does it mean to be healthy? Why is it important to have good health? 

Different types of diseases and injuries

What affects your health?

Goal setting

Decision making

Nutrition

Hygiene and Sanitation

Physical Activity

Tobacco, Alcohol and drugs

Pollution

Reproductive Health

Vision, dental and auditory health

Injuries

Yoga

Meditation

Self-esteem and values

Emotions and stress

Communication

Relationships

Violence

As Dr.Thakur had conducted a Health promoting school accreditation program in Chandigarh schools, we were able to influence the Department of Education to  conduct a pilot program of this Health Education curriculum in 20 schools. Ten of these schools are Government schools and ten private. These 20 schools are mandated to teach this Health Education curriculum starting from Class 6 and ending in Class 7 for a minimum of 50 hours per academic year.  About 3500 students will receive this instruction. An evaluation of the curriculum will be done over two years regarding its impact on health behaviours and knowledge using a pre-post methodology. 

Two teachers from each of the schools were trained on teaching Class VI Health curriculum over a period of three days (April 10-12). All children in Government schools and children in one section per Private school were provided books free of cost. Teachers were  very motivated to begin teaching the curriculum as soon as possible.