Safeguarding learners’ health in our schools

One of the most pressing challenges facing learners today is the increasing number of health-related complaints. Many students report ailments such as ulcers and other gastrointestinal complications. A major contributing factor is poor eating habits. Some learners intentionally skip meals often influenced by peers, appetite issues, or misconceptions about dieting and body image. Others may find school meals inadequate in quantity or quality. Yet food is not just a basic human need, it is also preventive medicine.

Food as medicine, not medicine as food

Parents must take the lead in educating their children on the importance of balanced nutrition and regular meals. Healthy eating helps prevent ulcers, strengthens immunity, boosts brain function, and maintains energy levels essential for academic success. The popular saying, “Let food be your medicine before medicine becomes your food,” should not remain a cliché; it must become a daily principle practiced at home and reinforced in school.

Children should understand that skipping meals can lead to avoidable health problems and issues that often require medication to treat. Schools, therefore, have a duty to ensure meals are nutritious, timely, and sufficient. Clear guidelines must be established to discourage learners from skipping meals, while promoting the idea that eating well is part of self-care.

Proactive health monitoring in schools

Another overlooked contributor to poor health among learners is the delay in seeking medical attention. Some students conceal symptoms out of fear, embarrassment, or neglect only reporting issues when their condition worsens. This not only disrupts their academic performance but can lead to prolonged illnesses or even long-term complications.

To address this, schools should establish functional and well-equipped sick bays staffed with trained nurses. These professionals are essential not only for administering first aid and treating minor ailments but also for conducting regular health check-ups and promoting hygiene education.

Routine hygiene campaigns on handwashing, menstrual health, and personal cleanliness should be integrated into the school culture. These efforts help prevent common illnesses such as flu, typhoid, scabies, and diarrhea. Meanwhile, parents must encourage children to report any health concerns promptly reassuring them that speaking up is not a sign of weakness, but a step toward healing and resilience.

The growing burden of mental health

Today’s learners face immense psychological pressure from academic expectations and peer competition to family dynamics and societal demands. Unfortunately, mental health remains heavily stigmatized in many communities. As a result, students often suffer in silence, battling anxiety, depression, and emotional trauma without support.

A common manifestation of this pressure is “examination fever”, a psychological condition characterized by panic attacks, insomnia, nausea, and poor concentration. In severe cases, some learners turn to drugs, alcohol, or risky behaviors, either due to peer influence or as a coping mechanism for their mental distress. This underscores the urgent need for psychosocial support systems in schools.

Every institution especially those with large student populations should employ a qualified counseling psychologist. These professionals can offer regular mental health check-ins, individualized therapy, and group guidance sessions for students in distress. Mental wellness should be embedded in the school’s health policy, not treated as an afterthought in times of crisis.

Parents and schools must partner for learners’ health

As stewards of children’s growth and development, both parents and educators must work collaboratively to create environments where learners flourish not just academically, but holistically. This partnership begins with consistent and open communication between schools and families.

Parents should be promptly informed of their children’s health status, behavioral changes, or emotional struggles. It is unacceptable for some schools to keep sick students on campus for extended periods without notifying guardians often until the situation worsens. Equally, schools should create opportunities for parents to engage in health awareness programs, student counseling initiatives, and discussions around school feeding policies.

Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) can play a pivotal role in shaping health policies within schools. By advocating for better food quality, hiring health professionals, and integrating life skills into the curriculum, PTAs can help foster a school culture that prioritizes student well-being.

A healthier learner is a better learner. A child’s health has a direct impact on their academic performance, social interactions, and future potential. Investing in learner health is not a luxury, it is a fundamental responsibility.

Parents, educators, and policymakers must join hands to promote physical wellness, mental resilience, and preventive care across all educational institutions. When learners are empowered with knowledge about proper nutrition, personal hygiene, and emotional well-being, they are more likely to become responsible, productive citizens.

Let us rise to this challenge because our children’s future depends not only on what they learn, but on how well they live.

The writer is the Executive Director of Hope Regeneration Africa, a parenting coach, marriage counselor, and the founder of the Men of Purpose mentorship program.