How African Students and Staff Benefit from School Health Programmes
By Victory Onyenekwe. B.Sc. Ed Physical and Health Education. Freelance Health Writer and Datelinehealth Africa volunteer. Medically reviewed by the DLHA Team.
A nurse checking the left ear of a child student within a school health service. Credit. Mofu S.
Health is not just the absence of illness; it is a complete state of wellbeing that encompasses all spheres of life. School health programme caters to the health needs of both students’ and staff within a school environment, ensuring that the complete state of wellbeing of both parties are not taken for granted.
In this article, you will learn about the benefits of school health programmes to students and staff within African schools. But first, we must understand the concept of a school health programme.
School Health programmes are a set of planned strategies, activities or services that are designed to promote positive health behaviors and practices among school children and staff. The global components of school health programme which is considered as the comprehensive component model is the eight-component model and they are:
All these components cater to the needs of both the student and teacher.
Now that we understand what school health programmes are, let’s dive right into its benefits for teachers and students.
A school health programme ensures that facilities such as classrooms, laboratories, playgrounds, sporting facilities, school clinics, drinking water, etc. meet regulatory standards, thereby reducing the risk of building collapse, overcrowding and other environmental hazards.
School health programmes promote better academic performance among students. This is because students who show high levels of mental and physical wellbeing are more likely to focus and learn in school, which leads to better academic outcomes.
Implementing school health programmes encourages best health practices and behaviors among students, such as personal hygiene, hand washing, menstrual health, food hygiene etc.
Students become aware of their health, and are able to make conscious decisions that will affect their health positively. They also become aware of health trends, and how to utilize health resources around them.
School health programmes lower the rate of absenteeism among students due to ill-health or unhealthy practices such as drug abuse, poor food hygiene, lack of personal hygiene, illicit sex etc.
The implementation of school health policies in schools fosters communication and support among school, parents and community. It creates an environment where each party can contribute to the development of students within a school environment.
Students are equipped with better coping strategies for stress management, through health education. This effectively reduces the stress levels of students, keeping them alert and healthy.
Staff are able to access health resources such as screenings, immunisation, health seminars and discounted treatment through school health services.
By promoting healthy lifestyles through health awareness raising, school health program can drastically reduce the level of absenteeism amongst staff due to ill health, leading to fewer disruptions in the school operations.
Psychological and counselling services under school health programs offer staff with support and better coping strategies on how to tackle stress and challenges associated with their job.
One of the component of school health program is healthy and safe school environment. Not only does this deal with the physical environment, it also consists of the social environment. School health program creates a non-toxic work environment for staff. This is done by enacting policies that cater to the wellbeing of the staff.
When schools promote the wellbeing of their staff, through wellness programs, it results in high morale, increased productivity and low stress levels.
By prioritizing the health of their staff, schools can create an attractive workplace with high staff retention and recruitments.
School health programmes are not just beneficial to students and staff, it extends largely into the community and the African society at large. It tackles health challenges at the grassroots levels, drastically reducing health vices such as drug abuse, communicable and non-communicable diseases, teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, poor hygiene and menstrual health. Stakeholders in the educational sector must ensure that all schools within Africa comply with the global standard for school health programmes.
Related:
What you need to know about school health programme in African schools
Can free school meals boost student attendance in Africa?
10 healthy habits to teach your African child
Published: May 24, 2025
© 2025. Datelinehealth Africa Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission is given to copy, use and share content for non-commercial purpose without alteration or modification and subject to source attribution.
DATELINEHEALTH AFRICA INC., is a digital publisher for informational and educational purposes and does not offer personal medical care and advice. If you have a medical problem needing routine or emergency attention, call your doctor or local emergency services immediately, or visit the nearest emergency room or the nearest hospital. You should consult your professional healthcare provider before starting any nutrition, diet, exercise, fitness, medical or wellness program mentioned or referenced in the DatelinehealthAfrica website. Click here for more disclaimer notice.
