Healthy Learning schools to adopt new schools

Laikipia East Healthy Learning workshop participants

Teachers, parents and district officials from various Healthy Learning schools and districts came together on 3rd to 5th October 2011 to share lessons from phase I (2008 - 2010) and forge a way forward for phase II (2011 - 2013) of the Healthy Learning programme.

Two workshops with more than 70 participants each were held concurrently in Machakos and Laikipia East districts. Participants in both workshops visited various Healthy Learning schools and reflected on the Healthy Learning programme in terms of sustainability, resource mobilization and promotion of Healthy Learning activities to surrounding schools and communities. The school visits formed the basis for further discussions and planning with workshop participants on these subjects.

In both workshops, participants appreciated the exchange visits terming them as beneficial in terms of creating new ideas and clarifying issues. While training of teachers and school committees is done every year, it was the first time teachers and parents visited Healthy Learning schools beyond their districts. Participants in Laikipia East had an extra visit to a none Healthy Learning school that had some Healthy Learning activities. Through this visit, they learnt the importance of resource mobilization and that creativity is paramount in this respect.

By the end of the workshop, there was consensus on the need to include more schools into the programme. This will be done through “adoption” of up to 5 neighboring schools by the current 30 model schools which will then inspire and guide them to start their own Healthy Learning programme.

Participants saw the link between the parents and the school as being the most crucial factor for the sustainability of the Healthy Learning Programme. Schools agreed to further strengthen this link.