Coastlands Hotel – Durban, South Africa 22-24 November 2016 CSTL Sharing Meeting 2016 SCHOOL HEALTH AND NUTRITION POLICY Mpheng Molapo LESOTHO Coastlands Hotel – Durban, South Africa 22-24 November 2016

Presentation Outline A description of the programme or policy Achievements Challenges Opportunities/Emerging Issues Key lessons learnt

Lesotho School Health and Nutrition Policy Education aims; to enable individuals to reach their full potential, to create healthy educated individuals that can contribute to their nation’s development, their communities and their own well-being. This requires not only increased enrolment but also increased attendance and ability to learn. that learners must learn in a safe environment including from sexual abuse. An unsafe environment characterized by violence (in all its forms) and bullying: distracts children from learning while at school acts as a powerful incentive for learners to drop out of school, Leads to inability of learners to achieve success in their studies thus compromising and completely undermining the SDGs especially SDG 4.

Lesotho School Health and Nutrition Policy Schools cannot achieve their primary mission of educating learners for lifelong learning and success if learners and staff are not physically, mentally and socially healthy. Comprehensive school health education is a critical component of coordinated school health programs. MoET thus has a mandate to; Promote and support provision of skills-based health education, health services, and a safe physical and psychosocial environment in both formal and non-formal education settings in order to improve education outcomes. Strengthen multi-sectoral coordination, linkages and partnerships, joint planning, implementation among relevant ministries, communities and other stakeholders for school health and nutrition and referrals. create a child friendly school environment that is healthy, tolerant, gender sensitive and respects children`s rights.

Why integrate health and well being into our education programs? Healthy learners learn better and better educated learners have the knowledge and skills to be healthy Education provides an ideal opportunity to reach large numbers of young people with correct and appropriate information about their health. Schools provide a platform for targeted care and support interventions especially for vulnerable children and adolescents. School attendance has been shown to reduce sexual risk behaviour as well as HIV incidence

Achievements Development of the Lesotho School Health and Nutrition Policy Development and implementation of Comprehensive sexuality Curriculum(CSE)(piloted in 70 Primary schools and 100 Secondary schools- Grade 8-10) A Counselling, Psychological, and Social Services: Train teachers, Principals and school board members on the provision of psychosocial support, referral to services and alternative disciplinary measures other than corporal punishment. Whole school approach: (The model that recognises the importance of the participation and consultation of all stakeholders and the school community) A module has been developed to engage the school community as active participants in learners’ education. The plan is to encourage collaboration with community members and use available resources and services to respond more effectively to the health-related needs of learners. Enrolled 237 teachers, 50 Nurses and 40 Education Officers on Online Comprehensive Sexuality Education course. Piloted Interactive Media, Peer Assistance and Coaching for Teens (IMPACT) project for mitigation against HIV and AIDS in selected schools.( Six high schools were selected working with Six Nursing schools) 953 learners were reached with CSE and SRH issues. Dissemination and implementation of the National Minimum Standards and Implementation Guide for the provision of Adolescent-Friendly Health Services.

Strengthening links between Education and Health is critical to attaining the SDGs

Challenges No re-entry policy Delays in finalization of school health policy and implementation plan Lack of prioritization of school health in sector plans and budgets Lack of capacity for implementation of School Health Programme at all levels Weak leadership and ownership for School Health Programme

Opportunities/Emerging Issues Strong collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Health and the UN partners. Addressing gender and power issues also leads to better health outcomes Implementation of ESA Ministerial Commitment through a joint work-plan Capacity building will facilitate effective implementation and monitoring of school health programme

Key Lessons Learnt Delivering high-quality comprehensive sexuality education requires training and support. Engaging parents and communities in implementing the School Health policy Strengthen collaboration between Ministries of Education and Health Health education contributes by addressing factors that contribute to school drop out and gender disparities in education; HIV and AIDS – Early and unintended pregnancy – School related gender based violence – Bullying and discrimination in school settings – Lack of sanitary facilities for girl

Thank you from the Mountain Kingdom

Comments and Questions from the Floor & Other Panellists.