Healthy Learners, Brighter Futures: How School Health Initiatives Are Transforming Lives in Zambia

                       

 

By Alain Kabinda 

LUSAKA– Education is about far more than reading, writing, and passing examinations. For a child to learn effectively, they must first be healthy, well-nourished, safe, and emotionally supported. Recognizing this, Zambia has increasingly embraced the School Health Initiative (SHI)—a comprehensive approach that integrates health, nutrition, sanitation, psychosocial support, and life skills into the education system. Led by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, development partners, and civil society organizations, the initiative is helping transform schools into environments where learners can thrive academically while developing the knowledge and resilience needed to lead healthy, productive lives.

From providing school meals and clean water to promoting Life Skills and Health Education (LSHE), menstrual hygiene management, mental health support, and school-based health services, the School Health Initiative is tackling many of the barriers that prevent children from reaching their full potential. While significant challenges remain, in communities such as Kanyama and Matro, educators and health experts have said that the programme is already improving school attendance, reducing absenteeism, supporting adolescent health, and giving thousands of learners a better chance at completing their education.

As Zambia continues to invest in its young people, the School Health Initiative is emerging as one of the country's most important investments—not only in education, but also in public health, gender equality, and national development. Behind the policies and programmes are real stories of children staying in school, teachers witnessing improved learning outcomes, and communities recognizing that healthy learners are the foundation of a stronger and more prosperous nation.

                    (Monitoring School health Initiative program in attendance was Daily News) 

Speaking to Daily News, every school morning begins long before the first lesson for a 14-year-old Ruth Mbewe (not her real name), a Grade Eight learner from Kanyama Secondary School in Lusaka.

Before sunrise, Ruth helps her mother clean the kitchen before preparing breakfast for her younger siblings. Only then does she begin going to school.

"There were days I stayed home because I was hungry," she recalls. "Sometimes I became sick, and when I started my monthly period, I didn't know how to manage it. I felt embarrassed and missed several days of school."

Like many girls in Zambia, Ruth also had little understanding of puberty, reproductive health, or the importance of staying in school.

"I thought getting married early was normal because many girls in my village left school before completing their education," she said.

Her school now benefits from several school health Initiative programmes introduced through the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Ministry of Health, cooperating partners, and civil society organizations.

Through the Life Skills and Health Education (LSHE) programme, Ruth has learned about puberty, menstrual hygiene, gender equality, HIV prevention, child protection, and decision-making.

"Our teachers explain things openly," she said. "I now understand my body, I know how to protect myself, and I want to finish school before thinking about marriage."

The school's health club has also become one of her favourite places.

"There we talk about mental health, hygiene, nutrition, and how to support one another. I have become more confident and I even help younger girls."

The school feeding programme which was also introduced now provides meals that help learners stay focused during lessons.

"I don't feel hungry during class anymore," Ruth says with a smile. "I can concentrate better."

"Our school has clean toilets and handwashing stations. Girls feel more comfortable coming to school every day."

Daily News took an advantage to interview Ruth's mother, Agnes Mbewe, the transformation has been remarkable.

"I left school when I was very young," she stated. "I became pregnant as a teenager because nobody ever talked to us about these issues."

Initially, Agnes was uncertain about the Life Skills School Health Initiatives and Health Education programme like school feeding.

"I heard people saying children were being taught things they shouldn't know," she recalls.

However, after attending community meetings organized by the school, her perception changed.

"The teachers explained that the programme is about protecting children, helping them make good decisions, preventing teenage pregnancies, teaching respect, and keeping them in school."

"My daughter now talks openly with me about growing up. Before, we were both too shy."

She believes School Health Initiative programme is giving girls opportunities her generation never had.

"I want my daughter to become a teacher or a nurse. Education will give her choices that I never had."

Across Zambia, school health programmes have become an important part of improving both education and child wellbeing.

Meanwhile Head teacher shared the experience, Mr. Joseph Phiri, Head Teacher of Secondary School improving education has never been only about classrooms and textbooks.

"It is very difficult for a child to learn when they are hungry, sick or worried," Mr. Phiri said. "Before some of these school health programmes were introduced, absenteeism was one of our biggest challenges."

Mr. Phiri recalled that many learners, particularly girls, regularly missed classes because of poor menstrual hygiene management and other illness.

"There were times when girls would stay home for several days every month because they lacked sanitary materials or felt embarrassed. We also had learners who came to school without eating breakfast. By mid-morning they could no longer concentrate."

He stated that school Health Initiative and  the introduction of Life Skills and Health Education (LSHE), school feeding have improved water and sanitation facilities has transformed both attendance and learner participation.

"Today we see more confidence among our learners. They ask questions about their health, understand the importance of hygiene and know where to seek help when they face challenges. The school has become a safer place for them."

Mr. Phiri noted that School health Initiative has also strengthened communication between teachers, learners and parents.

"We are no longer just teaching Mathematics and English. We are helping children build life skills that will protect them long after they leave school." Mr. Phiri said.

He also noted that teachers have observed a noticeable reduction in school absenteeism and improved learner engagement following school health interventions.

"Children who receive meals at school are more attentive in class. Those who understand personal hygiene fall sick less often, and girls are remaining in school longer because they feel supported."

"We still need more trained teachers to deliver Life Skills and Health Education effectively. Some schools lack adequate teaching materials, counselling services and proper sanitation facilities. Rural schools especially require greater investment."

"Every child deserves the opportunity to learn in a healthy environment. When we invest in school health, we are not simply improving education—we are investing in Zambia's future. Healthy learners become productive citizens, and productive citizens build a stronger nation." Added Mr. Phiri.

The Ministry of Education, working closely with the Ministry of Health and development partners, has introduced initiatives aimed at ensuring children remain healthy, safe, and able to learn.

Among the flagship programmes is Life Skills and Health Education, which equips learners from Grade 4 to Grade 12 with knowledge on sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention, mental health, gender equality, child protection, decision-making, and substance abuse prevention.

Schools are also implementing School Health and Nutrition Programmes, including school feeding, deworming campaigns, Vitamin A supplementation, nutrition education, growth monitoring, and health screening.

And one of the private sectors is WaterAid which has improved Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities are reducing absenteeism by providing safe drinking water, handwashing facilities, clean toilets, and menstrual hygiene facilities for girls.

Other interventions include school-based vaccination campaigns, mental health and psychosocial support, school health clubs, menstrual hygiene education, and comprehensive school safety programmes that prepare learners for emergencies and climate-related disasters.