The role of school management in promoting healthy learning environments for Grade R learners

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to investigate the role of school management in promoting healthy school environments for Grade R learners in the Sedibeng West District. A literature review revealed that there are two types of health programmes: those that support the curriculum and those that are part of the curriculum. School managers have to focus on both in their efforts to promote health in schools. South African schools adapted a Whole School Approach in creating and sustaining healthy environments. Whole School Approach includes the development of health policies, health education, community, learner, teacher involvement, nutrition and prevention of communicable diseases. A qualitative research approach was used and data was generated by means of interviews, documents, photographs and narratives. Four research sites were purposefully selected and four principals, three Heads of Departments for Foundation Phase, four health coordinators and four Grade R practitioners participated in this research. Only one of the research sites had a School Based Health Centre. The study revealed that curriculum-based health programmes including physical education, physical activities and health education were effectively implemented although they were not effectively monitored and evaluated. Health programmes supporting the curriculum include nutrition, first aid and health services. Both health services and nutrition were effectively implemented and monitored whilst there were serious problems with first aid. Practitioners were not trained for first aid, in the three schools where first aid kits were available were not checked therefore not replenished. In one school there was no first aid kit, thus, there was not much focus on precautionary measures in the participating school. There was therefore, no strategies in place for the management of health programmes that support the curriculum.