Myanmar is placing special emphasis on the education sector in its efforts to build a modern and developed nation. In promoting the development of the education sector, the country is implementing Health-Promoting School programmes in line with those prescribed by the World Health Organization. These programmes adopt a comprehensive school health system that goes beyond disease prevention to promote students’ physical and mental health, nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
Establishing healthy eating habits in schools can have a significant impact on the future health of schoolchildren and help them develop good health practices from an early age. To promote health awareness in schools and support the growth of students, nutrition education should be provided in preschools and primary schools to help children learn to consume a balanced diet.
In addition to promoting nutrition and food safety in schools, the systematic implementation of school-based nutrition programmes can help students and youth develop healthy eating habits, support their overall health, and contribute significantly to maintaining healthy bodies.
In implementing school health care services, individual health examination record cards for students have been maintained starting from KG since the 2022-2023 academic year. This initiative needs to cover not only primary school children but also adolescents. Therefore, starting from this academic year, emphasis should be placed on ensuring continuous coverage through Grade 12.
The 2026-2027 academic year School Health Week activities will be conducted by the respective ministries from 10 to 14 August 2026. The activities will include school-based health education and promotion, school environmental sanitation, school health care, school-based disease prevention, physical education and sports, school-based nutrition development and food safety, community participation and school-to-community outreach, counselling and social support, as well as training and research activities. The systematic implementation of school-based nutrition programmes can help students and youth develop healthy eating habits, support their overall health, and contribute significantly to maintaining healthy bodies.
The school-based nutrition programme for KG students was launched in the 2024-2025 academic year through coordination and cooperation between the Department of Public Health and the Department of Basic Education. Funds are being allocated to the Ministry of Health for the provision of school-based nutrition, and K2.82 billion was initially allocated for this purpose in the 2026-2027 academic year.
Today’s students and youth will become an important force for the nation in the future. As a motto: “The strength of the nation lies within”, parents, teachers and all students need to work together in implementing school health activities to help school-age children grow into healthy and responsible citizens.
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