Coming soon: Health clubs in Bangalore schools

For the Karnataka department of primary and secondary education, reading the body is as important as reading the books.

A health-conscious state education department has decided to give due importance to health in schools by making health clubs mandatory in all schools on the lines of science clubs.

The department had asked all the state government, private aided and private unaided high schools to set up health clubs.

The students in Classes 8, 9 and 10 will be members of the clubs.

The department will soon issue an official order, copies of which will be sent to the schools in the state.

“Last year we had started science clubs. The same way, we are setting up health clubs this year. We will issue an official order on this soon and it is a must for all the high schools affiliated to the state board,” an official from the department told DNA.

The officials said the idea behind setting up health clubs is to create awareness amongst students about physical and mental health, and cleanliness.

“Physical and mental changes occur in adolescents. So, it is our responsibility to create awareness among high school students. Besides these, the clubs will also focus on students’ general health,” said an official.

The physical education teachers of respective schools will head the health clubs, and at least one science teacher will be a part of it. The department has directed that no high school student will be excluded from the health clubs.

The primary and secondary education department’s decision has been cheered by the teachers’ community across the state.

“It is really a good move. The department is already organising annual health check-up camps for students, and starting these health clubs will help students know more maintaining good health at from a young age. It would be good if the department authorises these clubs to distribute vitamin tablets among students, which are already being supplied by the state government,” said HK Manjunath, president of the Karnataka High School Assistant Teachers Association.

The health clubs will organise seminars, monthly conduct health camps and invite psychiatrists for counselling sessions.