Health science added to school curriculum

The Ministry of Education has added Health Science to subjects that will be taught in primary schools beginning next year. According to the ministry, the introduction of the subject is aimed at imparting knowledge of health issues among school children.

Saturday, August 28, 2010
Primary school pupils in class. Government has moved to introduce health lessons in elementary schools (File Photo)

The Ministry of Education has added Health Science to subjects that will be taught in primary schools beginning next year.

According to the ministry, the introduction of the subject is aimed at imparting knowledge of health issues among school children.

Addressing a workshop for district education officers, the Director General in the ministry, Erasme Rwanamiza, urged them to fully support the development by encouraging schools in their respective districts to begin adopting the new subject. 

"Children are the most valuable asset we have in our country. Therefore we need to ensure they are in good health, both in school and at home. School health is one of the six features of a child-friendly school which has now become the model for Rwanda,” he said.

The subject, Health Guide, is composed of hygiene and environmental conservation, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS prevention, nutrition, physical diseases, psychosocial care and counselling and sports.

"Health is the first priority one should concentrate on. Our country cannot develop without having healthy people and we want develop this by first teaching our children the subject,” Rwanamiza added.

The programme is supported by various NGOs, among them, WHO and UNICEF.

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