Agreement signed to provide health screening and counselling to students

An agreement has been signed by Ministry of Education with Ministry of Health and Ministry of Defence, regarding the provision of health screening and counselling to students.

The agreement was signed at a ceremony at Ministry of Education today, by Minister of Education Dr Aishath Shiham, Minister of Health Dr Mariyam Shakeela, and Minister of Defence Mohamed Nazim.

Education Minister Dr Shiham highlighted that health problems can obstruct a child’s education, and said that this program will be focused on identifying and addressing health problems faced by children.

Education Ministry has said that under this program, health screening will be conducted for first graders and teachers will be given first aid training - which will be done through military hospital Senehiya.

The program will also make health screening available to students in islands, through health posts established in islands by Health Ministry.

Education Ministry said that efforts are ongoing to provide counselling services to students in islands through Family and Child Protection Units.

This program, which is included in the first 100-day action plan of the new government, will be implemented on Sunday.