GOVERNMENT EXPANDS SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAMME WITH GRADUATION OF OVER 1,500 HEALTH TEACHERS

Reported by: The Agency Media
Date: 26th April, 2025.
Lusaka, Zambia.

The Government of Zambia has achieved a significant milestone in strengthening school-based health services, with the graduation of 1,552 School Health Programme (SHP) personnel on April 30, 2025. The ceremonies will be held across three districts — Mongu, Chinsali, and Choma — marking a major step forward in the New Dawn Government’s commitment to improving children’s health and educational outcomes.

The School Health Programme, a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, and implementing partner Healthy Learners, transforms schools into key platforms for preventive healthcare, early illness detection, and health promotion. Since its inception, the SHP has demonstrated tangible impacts across Zambia, and with this latest cohort of trained health personnel, the programme is well positioned for even broader national reach.

GRADUATION HIGHLIGHTS

Graduation ceremonies will be conducted simultaneously in Mongu (Western Province), Chinsali (Muchinga Province), and Choma (Southern Province), representing graduates from 13 districts.

In total, the programme will celebrate the graduation of:

994 School Health Teachers (SHTs)

353 School Health Administrators (SHAs)

205 School Health Coordinators (SHCs)

These newly trained professionals will join the growing network of school-based health champions, bringing the total number of trained School Health Teachers to 6,314 operating across 736 schools in 10 provinces. As a result, the School Health Programme now reaches over 1.1 million learners, a significant rise from the 967,000 learners covered as of December 2024.

ROLES OF THE GRADUATES

1. School Health Teachers (SHTs) will deliver essential health education, provide basic health services, promote menstrual hygiene management, and identify and refer learners in need of medical attention.
2. School Health Administrators (SHAs), comprising Head Teachers and Deputy Head Teachers, will oversee the implementation of the SHP at the school level, ensuring proper data management and integration of health activities within the broader school framework.
3. School Health Coordinators (SHCs), based at local health facilities, will offer technical support, mentorship, and supervision to School Health Teachers, ensuring the programme’s alignment with national health standards.

Through steadfast commitment and collaboration, the School Health Programme continues to place the health and well-being of Zambia’s learners at the heart of both education and healthcare systems, driving a future where every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive in a healthy environment.

The Agency.