About Project

The ITEL Foundation's School Health & Wellness Assessment Drive aims to deploy trained Health Trainers in Government, Semi-Government, Model Schools across the country for preventive care, health education, and community well-being by leveraging community expertise and partnerships. This initiative supplements existing School Health Programmes, expands coverage, and enhances resources for underserved students. This initiative combines health education with comprehensive screenings to guide students toward choosing healthier lifestyles and securing a strong future. It also offers awareness and counseling workshops for learners, alongside targeted capacity‐building sessions for teachers and medical staff.

This programme is implemented with established guidelines and operates in accordance with the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), reaching across all regions of India. This mission is closely aligned with both national priorities and global development frameworks, reinforcing our commitment to meaningful impact. It takes cues from UNESCO’s initiative, “15 Million Learners, One Mission: School Health and Wellness Programme,” and contributes directly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 4 (SDG 4) by 2030. Through this alignment, we aim to foster healthier learning environments and empower students to make informed choices that support lifelong well-being.

The Health & Wellness Assessment Drive is designed to address the multifaceted health needs of students, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By integrating health education into the school ecosystem, we aim to create a supportive environment that promotes healthy habits, reduces health disparities, and enhances overall student performance.

Objective

To promote holistic health awareness and wellness practices among school-aged children by appointing a dedicated Health Trainer in every government school across the region. This initiative aims to instill lifelong habits of physical, mental, and emotional well-being in students, especially in underserved communities.

Background & Rationale

Children in government schools often lack access to structured health education and wellness support. Poor nutrition, lack of hygiene awareness, and mental health challenges are prevalent, especially in rural and tribal areas. The absence of trained personnel to guide students on health-related matters contributes to absenteeism, poor academic performance, and long-term health risks.

The Health & Wellness Mission Drive seeks to bridge this gap by integrating health education into the school ecosystem through trained professionals who can deliver age-appropriate guidance, monitor student well-being, and act as a liaison between schools and healthcare services.

Scope of the Programme

• Deploy one Health Trainer in every government school.

• Cover Primary, Upper Primary, Secondary, and Higher Secondary Schools across rural, urban, and tribal regions.

• Conduct regular health screenings and referrals to healthcare providers as needed.

• Organize workshops and training sessions for teachers and school staff on health topics.

• Engage parents and the community through awareness campaigns and health fairs.

• Monitor and evaluate the impact of health interventions on student well-being and academic performance.

• Deliver weekly health sessions focusing on:

• Physical Health Awareness: Nutrition, personal hygiene and exercise
• Mental Health Awareness: Stress management, emotional well-being, and resilience building.
• Substance Abuse Prevention: Awareness about the risks of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.
• Preventive Healthcare: Vaccination awareness and seasonal illness prevention
• First Aid and Emergency Response: Basic first aid skills and emergency preparedness.

Training & Curriculum

Health Trainers will undergo a certified training programme developed in collaboration with public health experts and educational bodies. The curriculum will include:

• Child psychology and behavior management

• Basic medical knowledge and first aid

• Health education techniques

• Communication and counseling skills

• Community health and outreach methods

• Use of digital tools for health monitoring and reporting

• School health policies and regulations

• Health screening procedures and protocols

• Chronic disease management and prevention

• Infectious disease control and hygiene practices

• Substance abuse awareness, prevention strategies and counseling

• Mental health first aid and support techniques

• Health data collection and analysis

• Health promotion and advocacy skills

• Leadership and teamwork in health initiatives

• Personal hygiene and sanitation practices

• Nutrition and dietary guidelines for children and adolescents

• Physical activity and exercise promotion

• Oral health care and dental hygiene

• Eye and ear health awareness

• Health rights and government schemes

• Community engagement strategies

• Monitoring and evaluation techniques

Key Activities

The Health & Wellness Assessment Drive will encompass the following key activities:

• Health Screenings: Regular check-ups for vision, hearing, dental health, and general physical health.

• Health Education Sessions: Weekly interactive sessions on various health topics tailored to different age groups.

• Workshops for Teachers: Training sessions to equip teachers with the knowledge to support student health and well-being.

• Parental Engagement: Organizing health awareness sessions and distributing educational materials to parents.

• Community Health Fairs: Annual events involving local healthcare providers to offer free screenings and health services.

• Referral System: Establishing a network with local healthcare facilities for timely referrals and follow-ups.

• Mental Health Support: Providing counseling services for students facing mental health challenges.

• Health Promotion through Sports: Encouraging physical activity and organizing sports events to promote fitness and teamwork.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Ensuring health education is inclusive and respectful of diverse cultural backgrounds.

Implementation Strategy

• Recruitment & Training

• Identify and recruit candidates

• Conduct centralized training workshops

• Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for Health Trainers to enhance their skills and knowledge.

• Continuously update training materials and health education content to reflect the latest research and best practices.

• Establish a mentorship program where experienced Health Trainers can support new recruits.

• Develop a crisis response plan to address emergencies and health outbreaks in schools.

• Engage alumni and community leaders as advocates and supporters of the Health & Wellness Assessment Drive.

• Regularly review and adapt the program based on feedback, health trends, and emerging needs.

• Ensure transparency and accountability through regular audits and stakeholder meetings.

• Deployment

• Assign Health Trainers per schools based on geographic and demographic needs.

• Provide basic medical kits and wellness materials.

• Utilize digital tools for record-keeping, reporting, and communication.

• Conduct regular feedback sessions with students, parents, and teachers to refine program delivery.

• Develop a sustainability plan to ensure the long-term impact of the Health & Wellness Assessment Drive.

• Explore opportunities for scaling the program to additional schools and regions based on success and learnings.

• Utilize social media and digital platforms to raise awareness and share health tips with the broader community.

• Encourage student-led initiatives and clubs focused on health and wellness topics to foster leadership and peer education.

• Integrate health and wellness topics into the school curriculum to reinforce learning.

• Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for Health Trainers to enhance their skills and knowledge.

• Establish a mentorship program where experienced Health Trainers can support new recruits.

• Develop a crisis response plan to address emergencies and health outbreaks in schools.

• Engage alumni and community leaders as advocates and supporters of the Health & Wellness Assessment Drive.

• Regularly review and adapt the program based on feedback, health trends, and emerging needs.

• Ensure transparency and accountability through regular audits and stakeholder meetings.

• Monitoring & Evaluation

• Monthly reporting by trainers to district health coordinators.

• Quarterly health audits in schools

• Feedback collection from students, teachers, and parents.

Collaborations & Partnerships

Collaboration with state and national health departments, NGOs, and community organizations will be crucial for the success of this initiative. Partnerships will facilitate resource sharing, expertise exchange, and broader community engagement.

Key partners may include:

• ITEL (INDIA) FOUNDATION – Programme coordination and funding

• State Education Department – School access and integration

• National Health Mission – Technical support and health resources

• Local NGOs and PHCs – Community engagement and medical referrals

• Philanthropic Foundations – Additional funding and strategic support

• International Agencies – Additional funding & Guidlines

Timeline

The programme is designed for a 5-year implementation period, with the following phases:

• Year 1: Recruitment and Training

• Year 2: Planning, Curriculum and Pilot Deployment

• Year 3: Full-scale Deployment

• Year 4: Evaluation, Refinement, Community Engagement and Sustainability Planning

• Year 5: Monitoring & Review Quarterly (continuing)

The timeline will be flexible to accommodate local needs and challenges, with regular reviews to ensure objectives are being met.

Budget & Funding

A detailed budget will be developed covering recruitment, training, salaries, materials, and monitoring costs. Funding will be sought through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, government grants, and philanthropic contributions.

Expected Outcomes

• Improved hygiene and health awareness among students

• Reduction in school absenteeism due to health issues

• Early identification of health issues and timely intervention

• Enhanced mental well-being and emotional resilience

• Improved nutrition and physical fitness levels

• Stronger linkages between schools and local health infrastructure

• Enhanced academic performance linked to better health

• Empowered teachers and parents with health knowledge

• Establishment of a sustainable model for school health and wellness

• Students exhibiting enhanced Cognitive Development

• Students demonstrating improved Social Skills and Emotional Well-being

• Creation of a Health-Conscious School Environment