Health and Hygiene Education - Important Contribution in Sustainable Education

Abstract

Health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being, not just the absence of disease or infirmity as explained by WHO. The impacts of such rapidly evolving life circumstances on children's health and well-being, cannot be ignored or ruled out of the system. The creation and maintenance of healthy homes, schools, and communities within a healthy world is the basis of all environmental and human development. Education has a primary function in developing people’s behaviour and habits in a more responsible and sustainable direction. Health education included in the school curriculum is often on a very basic level, but it is a matter of importance in schools, where children and young people spend a large part of their lives. During this period, children and young people need to receive health education to a level that provides the scientific basis for sustainable health literacy. Hygiene Education helps to increase the knowledge of people about things and practices resulting in good health and bad health Healthy living, eating practices, and hygiene maintenance practices should be a part of regular school curriculums and be taught to students through continuous training and development programs so that it becomes a part of their daily living habits. Theoretical research on health education can provide a framework for understanding students’ learning, improving the teaching and learning processes, and promoting cognitive, physical, and emotional development, thus helping children and young people to select options and make decisions toward sustainable healthy behaviours.

This paper explores the complex health, environmental, and social challenges confronting sustainable and improved educational approaches need of the hour is to reform, make advancements in our education system, and make efforts to eradicate existing patterns of injustice and inequality, unhealthy lifestyles, and environments. A holistic approach to the treatment of diseases should be taught to young minds so that they know how to tackle their ailments in a better and harmless way. Nevertheless, school education can be a powerful tool to achieve this as children’s minds and body is shaped during the schooling period. However, embedding healthy living and sustainability principles into schools involves much more than reforming existing programs and practices.

The curriculum of Health Education in teacher education and schools should be developed according to the requirements of the changing world. Teachers’ ought to be continually aware of current threats to human health and the environment. Contents of the curriculum should deal with health knowledge, skills, and values that are useful in the challenges of present and future education institutes.