Choshi Primary School in Chinsali District of Muchinga Province has recorded a surge in pupil attendance due to the successful implementation of a school health programme through a Health room being supported by Healthy Learners. this came to light when a combined team from…

Choshi Primary School in Chinsali District of Muchinga Province has recorded a surge in pupil attendance due to the successful implementation of a school health programme through a Health room being supported by Healthy Learners.

 this came to light when a combined team from Healthy Learners and local education authorities visited the school to check on the implementation of the programme.

Healthy Learners Head of Programme Delivery, Gaston Zulu, said the positive indicators recorded at Choshi Primary School are a clear sign that the province has accepted the programme.

“The impact of the school health rooms cannot be overemphasised due to its visibility through improved learner attendance.

“To ensure that the positive impact is maintained, Healthy Learners officials have taken time to visit the facilities in the province to assess the progress,” he added.

Choshi Primary School, Headteacher Tobias Mumba, said the school with an enrollment of 1,200 has seen a reduction of absenteeism among learners whose minor health care needs are taken care of within the school grounds.

Mr Mumba noted that the school has also seen great improvement in the performance of learners, adding that provision of basic health care coupled with the school feeding programme and the Free Education Law have added to the boost.

He added that the health room and the entire programme have also increased teacher-pupil interaction time.

Meanwhile, a pupil, Agnes Phiri, has thanked the government and Healthy Learners for the programme saying it has helped to reduce absenteeism among pupils.

She said the school feeding and health programmes encourage learners to attend classes on a daily basis.

“We want to thank the President for all that he is doing under the Ministry of Education such as provision of food, health care services and expanded school infrastructure, not forgetting free education,” she stated.