Gesondheidsbevordering in skole: 'n kwalitatiewe verkenning van gesondheidsgeletterdheid by die skoolhoof

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine how literate school principals of secondary schools are regarding health promotion. The school as well as the school principal play a vital role in the holistic development of learners and this translates into the community. Schools are regarded as the perfect platform to equip learners with skills and knowledge and more importantly good norms and values, so that they can be an asset to the society and community. Schools are currently seen as suitable areas where health can be promoted. Research indicates that the concept of health promoting schools was introduced in South Africa in 1994 and in 2006, schools in all 9 provinces identified themselves as health-promoting schools. Schools are regarded as the perfect platform to equip learners with skills and knowledge and more importantly good norms and values, so that they can be an asset to the society and community. Schools are currently seen as suitable areas where health can be promoted. Research indicates that the concept of health promoting schools was introduced in South Africa in 1994 and in 2006, schools in all 9 provinces identified themselves as health-promoting schools. The Department of Basic Education is attempting to implement health promotion programmes in schools. School principals and teachers are currently reluctant towards change because they receive no training. The necessary ethical steps to obtain consent to the passage of the chosen schools have been taken. The research project was conducted by means of a qualitative research design, namely phenomenological research. It was further approached from an interpretative research paradigm. This method to undergo the research was chosen because the researcher wanted to hear what the participants had to say. Eight schools from the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district in the North West Province of South Africa were chosen to take part in the research. The research results indicated that the overall role of the school is to serve the community. Results also showed that principals cannot do everything by themselves. They need help and they need to take hands with the different role players in the school to help and promote health in schools and finally the community. Unfortunately, principals experience a lot of barriers that hinder schools from developing holistically.