Promoting health education

As part of their Health Education degree requirements, third-year SWC students Nasra Al Ali and Fatima Mohammad have been visiting the Um Khallad School (for girls) in Ajman weekly, to raise awareness about several health-related matters among children.

Speaking to Notes, Fatima said that they've tried their best to address issues such as pollution, nutrition and hand-washing. She added, "After every presentation, we have a practical activity that helps in understanding the issue. For example, we took the girls to the washroom to show them how to wash their hands properly, and for the nutrition issue we brought supplies to prepare sandwiches with them."

Nadia Jumua, the school nurse, said the health education programme has been very beneficial for the students. "There has been a significant change in the girls' behaviour. For instance, they have started to wash their hands before and after eating during the break-time," she said.

Echoing Jumua's opinion, the school principal Alia Hamad Al Shamsi, said that her students have exhibited a noteworthy positive change in behaviour. "I have received calls from parents asking about this programme, because the girls go home and teach their families what they learn here about health education," she said.

On December 20, Nasra and Fatima made a final trip to the school. This time they had prepared a presentation on safety for girls in grade two. "We will discuss four aspects: safety in the playground and in the washrooms, issues related to electricity and safety in the bus. Then we will have an activity for them," Fatima said.

Mariam, Dua'a, Juwaher and Mahrah, students at Um Khallad School, said they enjoyed learning about health education because Nasra and Fatima made it fun and easy for them. "My favourite was when we made sandwiches," Mariam said.

The school is one of 17 schools selected by the Ministry of Education and Unesco in which a health education curriculum is to be implemented.